SOUTHINGTON, Conn. — A quiet Sunday afternoon in Southington ended in tragedy after an elderly man lost his life in an apparent all-terrain vehicle accident while clearing snow from a residential property. Authorities say the incident happened during routine snowplowing, turning a common winter task into a fatal event.
Southington police identified the victim as Andrew Connolly, 83, a longtime resident of the town. Officers were called Sunday afternoon to the area of 154 Mandel Drive after receiving a report of an unresponsive man near an overturned ATV. Emergency crews from the Southington Fire Department and American Medical Response ambulance service also responded to the scene.
According to police, a witness directed first responders to the rear of a nearby property on Flanders Street, where Connolly was found lying next to the overturned vehicle. Officers immediately began life-saving efforts, but Connolly showed no signs of life. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police confirmed in a statement released Sunday night.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Connolly had been operating an ATV fitted with a snowplow attachment, likely to clear snow from a driveway. Police said the vehicle traveled off a retaining wall approximately eight feet high, causing the ATV to roll over. The exact sequence of events leading up to the crash has not yet been determined.
Due to the seriousness of the incident, the Southington Police Department’s Accident Investigation Team was activated and has taken over the case. Investigators are working to determine whether factors such as terrain, vehicle condition, or weather conditions may have contributed to the crash. Authorities have not indicated whether foul play is suspected.
The incident remains under investigation. Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident or who has information that could help investigators to come forward. Those with details are encouraged to contact Southington Police Officer Jacob Badgley at (860) 621-0101 or by email at jbadgley@southingtonpolice.org. As the community mourns the loss, officials are reminding residents to use extra caution when operating equipment during winter conditions.
