Family of woman struck and killed by New Britain police officer demands transparency in investigation
Family members of a woman struck and killed by an on-duty New Britain police officer last month were joined by dozens of supporters Wednesday evening in a demonstration that demanded answers.
“The community is hurting, look around,” Maribel Rodriguez, daughter of 40-year-old Katherine Colon, told a crowd of supporters who gathered on West Main Street where Colon was killed on Sept. 21 before marching to City Hall. “I demand accountability and transparency.”
Colon was crossing West Main Street in the area of Lexington Street at about 1:10 a.m. when New Britain police officer Connor Reinsch, who was heading west in a Ford Interceptor, struck Colon in the westbound lane, according to Connecticut State Police who are investigating the crash. New Britain city officials have said Reinsch was responding to a burglary call.
Following the crash, Colon was taken to the Hospital of Central Connecticut where she died, state police said.
Reinsch since the incident has been on restricted duty, handling administrative tasks.
State police ID pedestrian struck and killed by New Britain police officer
The family of Colon, a mother of four, said Wednesday that dashcam footage from the crash has not been released and that they are still seeking many answers about her death.
“It’s a lot of anguish, a lot of disappointment, anger, sadness,” Colon’s son, Nathaniel, said. “It’s very hard to express these in words, but that’s just how we’re feeling right now.”
Supporters who gathered Wednesday held signs that read things like “Justice for Katherine” and “She deserves better,” while others alleged city officials have been silent on the matter.
Chants of “NBPD take accountability” and “No justice, no peace” could be heard from the dozens of supporters as they marched toward City Hall, where some spoke before city officials during the regularly scheduled Common Council meeting expressing their dismay at what they called a lack of transparency in the investigation into Colon’s death.
“Our condolences go out to the family of Katherine Colon,” New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart told The Courant. “As is required under state law, this investigation was turned over to the state police immediately.”
“Chief (Matthew) Marino has been in contact with the family to offer assistance as the investigation goes on,” Stewart said, adding that state police have informed city officials it could be months until more information is released.
Because Connecticut State Police are investigating Colon’s death as a car crash rather than a use of deadly force matter involving a police officer, the body camera and dashcam footage were not required by law to be released within a tight time constraint as with cases involving deadly force.
State police on Thursday said the investigation into the crash “remains active and ongoing.”
“Updated information is not available for release at this time,” the agency said.
Following the demonstration Wednesday evening, supporters held a solemn candlelight vigil in remembrance of Colon.
“She’s the only person who ever understood me, and I didn’t know that until two months ago,” Rodriguez told the crowd.
Rodriguez added that the community support has helped her family during what has been a very difficult time.
“It’s empowering and hopeful to what’s to come in the City of New Britain that we won’t be defeated,” she said. “And as a community we uplift each other and we demand accountability, and that’s how we win.”