Truck hits Yale-Harvard tailgaters, 1 dead

Last Updated 4:10 p.m. ET

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -

A driver of a rental truck carrying beer kegs through a parking area before the Yale-Harvard game Saturday suddenly accelerated, fatally striking a 30-year-old woman and injuring two other women, police said.

It's not clear why the driver sped up, New Haven Police spokesman David Hartman said. The truck then crashed into other rental vans in the lot, an open playing field used for pre-game parties before Yale home games in New Haven.

Tim Walker of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, said he was grilling sirloin tips when he heard the crash behind him. He turned and saw two people lying on the ground.

People huddled around them trying to help, according to a video that appears to have been recorded shortly after the accident and posted online. "We're not getting a pulse," said someone crouched near one victim, while the cameraman notes the ambulance hasn't arrived.

After emergency officials arrived, Walker said, he saw one victim being given cardiopulmonary resuscitation as she was taken away.

"The driver looked shocked. Absolutely shocked," Walker said. Police have not said whether alcohol was a factor.

"He didn't look intoxicated or anything like that," Walker added. "He had a dazed look like he had just hit someone."

Hartman said the driver was in police custody.

He said the woman who was killed was pronounced dead at about 10:15 a.m. at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Police did not immediately release her identity.

A second woman was listed in critical but stable condition at the hospital. The third woman suffered minor injuries.

The fans had gathered for the 128th game of the Ivy League rivalry, with Harvard looking for its fifth straight win over Yale. Three hours after the accident, the loud partying continued in the lot, with music blaring from large speakers and fans grilling hot dogs, sausage and hamburgers. Some students danced on top of other rental trucks.

The accident scene was cordoned off by yellow police tape.

At halftime of the game, with Harvard leading Yale, 24-7, the public address announcer at Yale Bowl informed the crowd of the accident and the woman's death, noting that it had been confirmed by the New Haven Police. He asked spectators to stand and observe a moment of silence.

[jscott418-21618367473133020464]

It was an accident! Stuff happens, it was not a planned shooting or a crazy person. They are not even saying he was drinking or intoxicated. Although carrying Kegs around gives a hint at what all these people like to do at games. One mechanic commented about the governor for the engine. This should not have caused any kind of rapid acceleration. As with many of these accidents across the country. People simple go to brake and step on the accelerator instead. Nobody knows why but some people seem to forget where the big brake pedal is.

[oroblram]

The problem may have been the govenor in the U-Haul truck. I rented a Penskie truck driving across the nation and it was controlled by a govenor that limited the speed to 60 MPH. I'm not a mechanic but it could be that the U-Haul truck may have gone out of control due to the malfunction of the govenor or cruise control.

[sfcobis]

"Three hours after the accident, the loud partying continued in the lot, with music blaring from large speakers and fans grilling hot dogs, sausage and hamburgers. Some students danced on top of other rental trucks."

So. The 1% show no empathy to their own. No wonder they have no problem exploiting others. Que up some Lee Greenwood whilst you dink your cocktail and dance on your sister's grave.

[longtree-2009]

death comes at anytime, anywhere. it does not discriminate when it comes to race, age, gender. that aside, wonder why tailgating is such a big deal. is it because it's cheaper than buying food, drinks in the stadium?

[rwsmith29456]

One minute you are enjoying yourself in a field the next minute you are killed by a beer truck. Goes to show that we are never sure of what the next minute will bring.

[Duderonomy13]

She needed more hasty and less pudding.

[Imthaid2]

Pretty poor reporting. Was it considered a deliberate act, or accident? What are the charges against the driver. Were they grilling hamburgers or brats?

[realtimecoffee]

It was a load of beer kegs, if that matters.

[bobnjersey]

[Were they grilling hamburgers or brats?]
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sirloin tips ... everyone was grilling sirloin tips.

"Tim Walker of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, said he was grilling sirloin tips when he heard the crash behind him."