My Letter to Sergeant Parratt, Seymour Police Department

Dear Sergeant Parratt:

Please forgive my comments below. I am not trying to second guess your investigation into the death of my brother George. I guess I just need to communicate my thoughts as a way of getting past my profound grief.

My brother was in excellent health but he was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure. I do not think it was a severe condition, however. If you need more information about it, I may be able to find the doctor’s name.

When I visited the scene last Sunday, I was curious to see the skid mark in the pine needles on the right edge of the roadway was very straight and continued straight onto the soft embankment. There didn’t seem to be any indication that the wheel was turned so as to avoid the embankment and reservoir. It was also interesting to note that the placement of the right-hand wheel indicated that he was to the right of the traveled lane. However, I have traveled this route with him in that truck many times last year and he was always careful to give a wide berth on those curves in case an oncoming vehicle was incusing into his lane.

We found a small metal part that his daughters gave to you on Tuesday. It was located about 150 feet to the northwest of the incursion point of the embankment, as if it might have fallen off well before he lost control. The fact that it did not have any rust may indicate that it came from his truck.

My theory is that he was unable to maneuver the vehicle around the curve due to mechanical failure of the vehicle or due to an incapacitating medical event.
Thank you for your compassionate attention to this investigation. Call me anytime if you have a need.