An 83-year-old man died after being hit by a plow driver in the parking lot of his apartment building, Willow Arms Apartments in East Hartford, during the blizzard Tuesday afternoon.
The victim, Daniel Baerga, was cleaning off his van in the parking lot of the apartment complex at 446 Main St. around 3 p.m. Wednesday when a private snowplow driver backed up and hit him, according to officials.
Baerga was taken to Hartford Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police have not released the man’s name.
"The fatal accident late this afternoon during the storm is a tragedy. Our thoughts are with the deceased family at this time," Mayor Marcia Leclerc said in a statement.
The private plow contractor, a 47-year-old Broad Brook man, was driving, according to police. Officials from the plow company said the driver was distraught and their prayers go out to the family.
Police are investigating.
