A 52-year-old Pawcatuck man fatally shot himself Saturday night after crashing his vehicle on White Rock Road off Route 2 in Pawcatuck across the street from the LaQuinta Inn & Suites.
The man was not identified, pending notification of next-of-kin.
According to Stonington Police Capt. Jerry Desmond, the department received a call about an accident on White Rock Road at about 7:20 p.m. A witness told police that the man driving the vehicle, which appeared to be a gray compact truck, had discharged a firearm after the accident.
Patrol officers responded and found the man outside his truck with a handgun in his hand. According to Desmond, the man appeared intoxicated and wouldn't comply with officers' requests to put the weapon down.
Police continued to negotiate with the man as he got in and out of his car with the gun, and at about 8:50 p.m. shot himself while in the car.
The man was brought via ambulance to The Westerly Hospital, where he was later died from the injuries.
During the standoff, Route 2 was cordoned off between the Route 78 Interchange and Elmridge Road, but traffic was moving again by about 9:30 p.m. The scene of the incident on White Rock Road was cordoned off late into the night as police processed the scene.
Stonington Police detectives are investigating the case, Desmond said. The Connecticut State Police Emergency Services Unit, Westerly Police and the Pawcatuck Fire Department also responded to the scene.
