Accident victim identified as borough woman

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NAUGATUCK — A woman who died in a car accident on Route 63 Wednesday afternoon has been identified by police as Maria Adams of Naugatuck.

Adams, 64, a longtime borough resident who lived at 300 Donovan Road, was rushed by Naugatuck Ambulance to Waterbury Hospital immediately following the accident. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The accident occurred around 4:15 p.m. Wednesday under the Route 8 overpass and just before Al’s Hot Dog stand on the South Main Street section of Route 63.

Adams was driving a 2001 Saab southbound toward Bethany when her car crossed into the northbound lane and struck a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder head-on. The Nissan was driven by Rino Ferrarese Jr., 39, of 15 Raymond Place, Cromwell. He was treated and released Wednesday from Waterbury Hospital, a hospital spokesman said.

The crash is still being investigated by a regional accident reconstruction team, which includes officers from Middlebury, Watertown, Wolcott and Naugatuck, said Lt. Robert Harrison, Naugatuck police spokesman.

“We’ve had witnesses who told us that she crossed the center line, but at this point we don’t know why,” Harrison said.

The reconstruction team will look at all factors that could have contributed to the accident. Accident reconstructions can take several weeks.

Harrison said early reports indicate that speed was not a factor.

Burgess Robert Neth, who lived near Adams for more than 20 years, said she was a good neighbor who always maintained her property and cared deeply about the neighborhood.
“It’s a damn shame,” he said. “You need more neighbors like her.”

Another neighbor who lived next door to Adams for 12 years said she lived by herself in her home since her two sons are grown. She said Adams, who was a proud grandmother, was an avid gardener and always pleasant to people in the neighborhood. She said neighbors are shaken by the news of her death.

Funeral arrangements could not be confirmed as of late Thursday.