CT woman, 71, charged with negligent homicide in fatal crash that sent bicyclist flying into gravel

A 71-year-old woman is facing charges in connection with a crash that killed a bicyclist in Torrington last summer.

A 71-year-old woman is facing charges, including negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, nearly a year after a fatal crash involving a bicyclist Torrington who was thrown from her bike into the gravel driveway of an excavation business.

Barbara Dewey of Winsted turned herself in on an arrest warrant last week and was charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, improper movement right of travel lane and distracted driving, according to the Torrington Police Department.

Bicyclist dies as result of injuries following car collision in Torrington

The charges stem from a fatal crash in Torrington last summer that allegedly occurred while Dewey was distracted trying to push a reset button on her dashboard, according to police.

On June 2, 2023, at about 9:05 a.m. Dewey was driving her Nissan Sentra south on Winstead Road when she veered into the right shoulder and struck 47-year-old Shawn Kiefer, who was riding a bicycle, police said.

Kiefer was thrown from her bike and vaulted off of Dewey’s vehicle, landing in the gravel driveway of an excavation business, according to police.

Kiefer was taken to Saint Mary’s Hospital, where she died from injuries sustained in the crash, police said.

The Torrington Police Department accident investigation team has been investigating the crash, and police said Dewey has been cooperative throughout the investigation.

She was released on a $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in court next in Torrington on March 18, according to police.