Close Friends Of New Milford Man Killed On Route 7 Look To Community

Monday was a day for family and friends to remember the life of John Murphy, the pedestrian who was killed while walking to work last Thursday night in New Milford. In order to help with the cost of funeral expenses, Murphy's friends and co-workers have set up a GoFundMe page.

John was killed when he was struck by a car driven by a 20-year-old New Milford man in front of the Wheels Citgo gas station at 61 Danbury Road.

Murphy was on his way to work at Wheels when the accident happened. The driver of the car that hit him has not been charged and an investigation is pending, but New Milford Police Cheif Spencer Cerruto told CT Post that the driver remained at the scene and has “cooperated fully” with investigators.

The GoFundMe page was set up by friends and co workers to defer some of the funeral expenses, and can be found at this link.

Part of the message on the Go-Fund-Me page summed how much people in the town loved John.

Everyone in New Milford knew John, and knows that he died with only the clothing on his back.  He was a kind and gentle soul who worked to make ends meet.  John's family is devastated by this sudden loss, and we would like to help any way we can.  He is sorely missed.

This is also not the first time a pedestrian has been hit and killed at the Route 7 / Pickett District Road intersection. Back in August 2015, 24-year-old Joseph Portunato was struck and killed there while crossing Route 7 just before midnight as well.

Within an hour of the incident on Thursday night, March 14, residents took to social media calling for a need for sidewalks, crosswalks, and better lighting in the area where the accident took place.