The East Granby Fire Department is mourning the loss of Fire Chief Peter Ahlstrin after he was killed in a single vehicle crash on Route 20 in Windsor.
State Police said Ahlstrin was traveling down Route 20 eastbound before the Hamilton Road South exit around 10:40 p.m. Thursday when he lost control of his vehicle, hit a wire rope guard rail and rolled down an embankment.
Ahlstrin was thrown from his vehicle and pinned underneath it. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Firefighters elected Ahlstrin chief in January.
While he led the East Granby Fire Department for less than a year, he was a member of the department for several years, according to East Granby fire officials.
Lt. Christina Burkert, of the East Granby Fire Department, said Ahlstrin was a cadet in high school and aspired to become a firefighter and chief.
Members of the department are shocked.
U.S. & World
“They’re taking it very personally. Peter was a very good close friend with many of the members here. They go back to when they first started as cadets,” she said.
Some surrounding fire departments will be providing mutual aid to cover East Granby in the case of a fire, according to First Selectman James Hayden.
Hayden said Ahlstrin was a wonderful guy who was "extremely personable" and had a can-do attitude.
"(He) was just one of those core people in the community that you need in a community of volunteers that make the community better," Hayden said.
Ahlstrin would have turned 29-years-old in two weeks.
Anyone who saw the crash is asked to call State Police at 860-543-1000.
