CONNECTICUT POLICE OFFICER SERIOUSLY INJURED IN STRUCK-BY INCIDENT

A New Haven police officer who has devoted his career to working with local children remained in critical condition yesterday after being struck while directing traffic by a sport utility vehicle driven by a federal appeals court judge, the police said. he officer, Dan Picagli, suffered several fractures and a life-threatening head injury when he was hit about 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday October 17 during overtime shift directing traffic on a dark, rainy section of Chapel Street. Officer Picagli, 38, remained under the care of doctors at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was standing on a dimly lighted stretch of Chapel Street in a black police raincoat and a yellow reflective vest when the SUV struck him. The driver of the SUV stopped immediately after the accident and officers at the scene determined that there was no reason to administer a field alcohol and drug test.