A man from Agawam, Massachusetts died after his car was struck head-on by another vehicle on Ashford Center Road near Pumpkin Hill Road in Ashford, Connecticut, late Thursday night. The other driver, a woman, was seriously injured and taken to the hospital, and the road was closed for the investigation.
According to Western Mass News, Connecticut State Police said the woman driving the Nissan crossed the double yellow line into the eastbound lane. Her vehicle struck the Lexus head-on, according to the station's report. Patch reported that a white 2019 Lexus ES350 was traveling eastbound on Ashford Center Road, also known as Route 44, while a blue 2021 Nissan Rogue was heading westbound. Patch reported that troopers from Troop C responded to the crash near Pumpkin Hill Road at approximately 10:54 p.m.
The man driving the Lexus was identified as Richard Waldimer Wuensch of Agawam. He was transported by Mansfield EMS to Windham Hospital, where Patch reported he was pronounced dead at 11:50 p.m. Patch identified Wuensch as 82 years old, while Daily Voice described him as a 42-year-old Massachusetts man — the two outlets' reporting conflicts on his age, and that detail remains unverified.
Driver's Identity and Hometown Also in Dispute
The woman driving the Nissan was seriously injured and transported by Ashford EMS to Day Kimball Hospital, per the Western Mass News account. Patch identified her as 28-year-old Mackenzie Rae Livingston of Eastford, while Western Mass News reported the second driver as a 28-year-old resident of Easton, Connecticut — another discrepancy between the two accounts that has not been resolved.
Ashford Center Road was closed for the investigation, and the scene was no longer active by Friday morning, according to Western Mass News. State police have not released further details on the cause of the crash beyond the preliminary account that the Nissan crossed into the oncoming lane.
Investigation Continues, Troopers Seek Witnesses
State police said the investigation remains ongoing, according to cspnews.org. The notice asks anyone with information about the crash to call 860-896-3200 or email [email protected]. Patch identifies the contact as Trooper Michael Honeywell and gives extension 8020.
