New Haven police are asking the public to help identify a person seen on an e-bike in connection with an Oct. 9 hit-and-run that left a Southern Connecticut State University professor seriously injured and that the university says has since resulted in the professor's death.
Police release images, description of rider
On Monday, New Haven police posted photographs of an individual riding an e-bike at or near the scene of the crash, which occurred at the intersection of Whalley Avenue and West Rock Avenue on Oct. 9. The rider fled the scene on Fountain Street toward Central Avenue, authorities said.
Police described the person in the images as a Black male, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a stocky build and likely in his late teens or 20s. At the time of the incident, the rider was reported as wearing shorts over his pants, police said.
"wearing shorts over his pants."
Victim identification and university confirmation
Southern Connecticut State University confirmed that Michael Shea, an English professor at the university, sustained serious injuries after being struck by an e-bike while crossing the street at Whalley and West Rock avenues. The university said Shea died on Saturday.
New Haven police have not yet formally identified the victim in the fatal crash, and the department's social-media post did not name the individual involved. The release instead focused on the e-bike rider and requested public assistance in identifying him.
What police are asking from the public
Authorities are seeking tips and information that could lead to the identification and location of the rider. Police did not disclose additional details about the investigation in the post, including whether there were witnesses, surveillance footage beyond the released photos, or potential charges being pursued.
- Crash date: Oct. 9
- Location: Whalley Avenue and West Rock Avenue
- Person sought: Black male, ~5'7", stocky, teens/20s
- Direction of flight: Fountain Street toward Central Avenue
Local context and public-safety concerns
The incident has raised concerns among residents, students and faculty in the area about pedestrian safety and the conduct of e-bike riders in New Haven. Whalley Avenue is a busy corridor near residential neighborhoods and university facilities, where pedestrian crossings are common. The involvement of a university professor, and the subsequent death confirmed by the university, has added urgency to the appeal for information.
City and campus leaders have in recent years grappled with how to manage the rise of e-bikes and other micromobility devices, balancing accessibility with safety and enforcement. This case underscores the stakes when vehicles and pedestrians collide, and it is likely to renew calls for measures that address rider behavior, street design and enforcement.
| Detail | Known information |
|---|---|
| Crash date | Oct. 9 |
| Scene | Whalley Ave & West Rock Ave |
| Person sought | Black male, ~5'7", stocky, teens/20s; wearing shorts over pants |
| Victim | Michael Shea, SCSU English professor (university confirmed death); police have not formally identified victim |
Investigators have not provided additional information about the condition of the e-bike or whether any other vehicles were involved. Police are requesting anyone with information, including neighborhood surveillance footage or dashcam video from the area around the time of the crash, to contact New Haven police.
As the investigation continues, the case presents immediate questions for campus safety officials and city traffic planners about how to reduce similar tragedies. For neighbors and campus community members concerned about safety, police urged vigilance and encouraged anyone with tips to come forward.
The New Haven Police Department did not release details on whether an arrest warrant had been issued or whether investigators had developed a suspect beyond the individual pictured. Authorities continue to seek public assistance to identify and locate the rider depicted in the images.
