Crime & Safety

Police Commended For Heroic Rescue

Four officers lifted a vehicle to rescue the teenage driver trapped underneath.

 

The Town of Ledyard awarded four letters of commendation to the .

Ledyard Resident State Trooper Sgt. James Gilman, police officer Alan Muench, Sgt. Scott Peterson and State Trooper First Class Gary Butters, who was off-duty at the time but lives in the area, were first on the scene at the mid-morning crash.

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“That’s great that they’re getting recognized,” said Sandy Taylor, the mother of the driver.

was driving east on Long Cove Road. She went around a bend in the road and swerved to avoid another car, she said. She then lost control of the vehicle, which crashed through a stonewall and rolled over a couple times.

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Taylor was partially ejected from the vehicle which came to a rest in the front yard at 705 Long Cove Road. She was found at the scene stuck under the Ford Explorer she was driving.

"All I saw was the car come crashing down on my head," she said. "I thought I was going to die, it hurt so bad."

Taylor spent a couple days in the hospital due to injuries sustained in the crash. She had a broken collar bone, a spinal fracture, a partially collapsed lung, fractured ribs, and a mild concussion, according to her mom who also said the teenager had to get metal plates placed across her collar bone.

“She has fully recovered,” she said. “She’s still a little bit sore in the collar bone."

Kylee is the only child of Sandy and Ken Taylor of 43 Meetinghouse Lane. She graduated from Ledyard High School in June, where she participated in fencing. She is planning to attend the University of Connecticut at Avery Point this semester.

"I was pretty happy and kept thanking them for saving me," she said in an interview after the accident.

The letter given to each officer reads:

In Recognition of Your Demonstration of Professionalism, Quick Thinking and Bravery displayed on the night of March 13, 2012 while reporting to a roll-over accident with an occupant trapped in the Town of Ledyard.  Without concern for your own safety you and your fellow officers lifted the vehicle off of the 17 year old female who was trapped under the vehicle which was partially resting on her head.  Your quick response and heroic actions most assuredly saved this young lady’s life.

On this day you are hereby presented this Letter of Commendation And shall hold and enjoy a place of High esteem in the minds and hearts of the victim’s family and the people of The Town of Ledyard. Given this Twenty-fifth Day of July, Two Thousand and Twelve


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