Elijah W. Hummel Obituary-Death News; 21-Year-Old Groton Man Killed in High-Speed Motorcycle Crash on Fort Hill Road
A tragic motorcycle crash claimed the life of 21-year-old Elijah W. Hummel early Friday morning on Fort Hill Road in Groton. According to the Groton Police Department, an officer on patrol came upon the scene around 12:45 a.m. and found Hummel’s motorcycle lying on the road, with the driver nearby suffering from serious injuries. Despite efforts by paramedics to save him, Hummel was later pronounced dead at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital.
The crash occurred on Fort Hill Road, between Depot and South roads, a stretch of Route 1 known for its busy traffic. The initial investigation indicated that Hummel was riding a 2024 Kawasaki motorcycle westbound at a high rate of speed when he lost control.
The motorcycle veered across the road and collided with an unoccupied Jeep Cherokee that had been parked in front of a nearby pizza shop. Police stated that no one was inside the Jeep at the time of the crash, preventing further injuries.
First responders rushed Hummel to the hospital, where despite emergency treatment, he could not be saved. Police confirmed that his family had been notified of his death and offered their condolences, saying, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family.” The loss has left the Groton community in shock, as Hummel was a young man with his life ahead of him.
In response to the crash, members of the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Traffic Unit and the Groton Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division were called to the scene.
The area was closed to traffic between Depot and South roads for several hours while investigators worked to piece together the details of the incident. The road has since reopened, but police continue to gather evidence to determine the cause of the crash.
The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, and police are looking into whether any additional factors may have played a role in the accident. Speed was a significant factor in the initial findings, but authorities are also considering other possible contributing factors, including road conditions or mechanical failure.
This devastating incident has deeply affected the community, with many offering support to Hummel’s family. Police have urged anyone with information regarding the crash to come forward, as they continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the young man’s untimely death.