Wilton Man Charged with Manslaughter and Assault Following Fatal Crash in Norwalk

In a shocking development, James O’Byrne, a 36-year-old resident of Wilton, has been arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless driving, evading responsibility, operation of a motor vehicle under suspension, failure to insure motor vehicle, and operation of an unregistered motor vehicle. The charges come in connection with a tragic crash that occurred on October 28 at the intersection of East Rocks Road and Bayne Street in Norwalk.

According to Police Lt. Tomasz Podgorski, officers responded to the scene after receiving a distress call and discovered that a motorcycle had been struck by a hit-and-run vehicle. The driver and passenger of the motorcycle sustained severe injuries and were rushed to Norwalk Hospital for treatment. Tragically, the passenger, identified as 59-year-old Dawn Kravarik, a longtime employee of the Norwalk Public Library, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

An extensive investigation was launched by the Norwalk Police Crash Reconstruction Unit, with detectives and officers interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and executing search warrants to identify the driver of the evading vehicle. As a result of their meticulous efforts, James O’Byrne was identified as the driver responsible for the collision.

O’Byrne was subsequently apprehended and an arrest warrant was issued. He appeared in court where his bond was set at an astonishing $1 million. The accused is scheduled to appear in court later this month to face the charges brought against him.

The entire Norwalk community is mourning the loss of Dawn Kravarik, who dedicated 36 years of her life to the Norwalk Public Library as an accounting clerk. Mayor Harry Rilling expressed his deep sadness, describing Kravarik as a compassionate and dedicated employee who always prioritized her community.

Director of the Norwalk Public Library, Sherelle Harris, also expressed her condolences to Kravarik’s family, highlighting her significant role within the library and the impact of her loss on the entire organization.

Dawn Kravarik, a lifelong Norwalk resident, will be remembered for her love of family and friends, her passion for traveling to the mountains, her enjoyment of motorcycling with her husband and friends, and her nurturing of a beautiful indoor garden. Her family was her world, and she cherished every moment spent with them.

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless driving and the importance of road safety. The Norwalk community is united in grief and stands in support of Dawn Kravarik’s family during this difficult time.