Brother of victim killed in pedestrian accident calls for change

BRISTOL, CT (WFSB) – The brother of a man who died in a pedestrian accident Sunday evening is speaking out and calling for changes to a dangerous intersection in Bristol.

Anthony Fascendini, 62, was struck and killed by a car while crossing the intersection of Route 72 and Lincoln Avenue. He was on his way to Stop & Shop when the incident occurred.

Anthony's brother Edward Fascendini learned of the tragic news when police showed up at his front door with a photo confirming his brother's death.

Edward shared that Anthony had been living with him and was disabled after recovering from two strokes.

“I went to the spot where he was hit and saw his clothes and belongings lying on the ground. Someone walked through the light and hit my brother. I was told they were going pretty fast,” Edward said.

Police confirmed the driver remained on scene and was cooperating with the investigation.

The tragedy marks the second time the Fascendini family has been affected by a fatal pedestrian accident.

In February 2013, Edward was the driver in a hit-and-run accident on Queen Street in Southington, in which he struck and killed one of three women walking on the street.

He was sentenced to five years in prison for the incident but declined to comment during the interview.

Now Edward is focused on his brother's case and advocating for improved safety measures at the intersection of Route 72 and Lincoln Avenue, where there have been 40 injury crashes in the last decade.

“To cross five lanes and a median, you can’t do it before the time is up. You have to run, you usually can't get through it,” said Edward, who calls for a longer crossing signal than the current 20-second timer and better lighting.

The Connecticut Transportation Institute said there have been forty accidents involving injuries at the intersection in the past decade.

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