WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) issued the following statement on the fatal crash involving Connecticut National Guardsmen on Interstate-95 last week. Staff Sgt. Ronald Patterson Jr., of Bridgeport, was killed in the crash, and Sgt. 1st Class Kayla Anne Downey, of Shelton, was injured.
“I was deeply saddened to hear of this tragic accident and the passing of Staff Sgt. Ronald Patterson Jr. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones, and with Sgt. 1st Class Kayla Anne Downey and her family. Both of these brave soldiers are decorated veterans of the Iraq War and have served our state and nation with honor. I join the Connecticut National Guard in mourning the loss of Staff Sgt. Patterson, and I pray that Sgt. 1st Class Downey has a swift and full recovery."