Further Mystery About Dispatcher’s Traffic Death

The roll-over vehicle accident that claimed the life of New Haven (Conn.) dispatcher on Interstate 91 last October was a mystery to investigators at the time. Jennifer Countermash’s vehicle swerved into the center divider, flipped over and she was ejected. She died at the scene, and there was no explanation for why it occurred. But now a claim filed with the city of New Haven by her ex-husband makes a startling accusation: an on-duty New Haven police officer had been chasing Countermash before the accident, “intimidating, following and/or harassing (her),” the claim states. The husband alleges that the officer’s speeding, text messages and other distractions caused Countermash to lose control of her car and crash. He also claims that the officer “pushed and/or bumped” Countermash’s vehicle, causing it to spin out of control. The state police are reportedly investigating the accident, but a spokesperson said he wasn’t immediately familiar with the case. The claim is a legal formality before filing a civil lawsuit against the city. Read more about the claim here.