SUV struck cyclist and fled scene on city roadway in Bristol
January 08, 2026 | Bristol, CT
A 36-year-old man lost his life after being struck by two vehicles, one of which fled the scene, while cycling on Birch Street.
Tomek Paluch, 36, died after being struck by an SUV while bicycling on Birch Street and then hit by another vehicle in Bristol.
What Happened in the Crash?
According to the Bristol Police Department, Tomek Paluch was riding his bicycle around 5:31 p.m. when a silver SUV hit him and sped away. The hit threw Paluch into the roadway, where another vehicle struck him moments later.
- Date and Time: Jan. 8, approximately 5:31 p.m.
- Location: Birch Street, Bristol, Connecticut
- Victim: Tomek Paluch, 36, pronounced dead at Bristol Hospital
- First Vehicle: Silver SUV, possible front-end damage, and driver fled
- Second Vehicle: Driver remained at the scene
- Reporting Agency: Bristol Police Department
Paluch sustained critical injuries and was transported to Bristol Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities are actively seeking the hit-and-run driver. The vehicle is described as a silver SUV, potentially showing front-end damage. Witnesses or anyone with information should contact investigators at 860-584-3011.
Why Do Hit-and-Run Accidents Occur?
Hit-and-run incidents represent a significant portion of roadway crashes, often leaving victims without immediate aid. Data shows that about 11 percent of all crashes involve a fleeing driver, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance around vulnerable users like cyclists.
Drivers must prioritize caution to protect bicyclists and others sharing the roads. In 2023, the National Center for Health Statistics reported 1,377 bicyclist deaths nationwide, with 937 occurring in motor-vehicle collisions and 440 in other circumstances.
Category |
Total Bicyclist Deaths (2023) |
Motor-Vehicle Crashes |
Other Incidents |
|---|
National Statistics (NCHS) |
1,377 |
937 |
440 |
Hit-and-Run Percentage |
About 11% of all crashes |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and Insurance Research Institute
Legal Insights
National legal analyst Andrew G. Finkelstein, managing partner at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices, emphasizes the importance of thorough investigations in motor vehicle accidents.
"It is essential to reconstruct the accident to identify all the vehicles involved and determine the circumstances that led to the accident or the driver at fault."
"Insurance companies are never on the side of a victim injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident. According to the Insurance Research Institute, on average, an injured person who receives help from a lawyer ends up receiving three and a half times more money than those who do not."
- Key Takeaway: Competent legal representation can uncover fault and maximize compensation in cases such as this.
- Reconstruction Benefits: Helps identify fleeing vehicles and establish liability.
- Insurance Dynamics: Companies often undervalue claims without attorney involvement.
- Victim Rights Protection: Ensures families navigate complex processes effectively.
In potential wrongful death scenarios, family members of victims like Tomek Paluch may pursue claims for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Investigations proving negligence require specialized handling to support grieving families.
"Investigations that prove the negligence in wrongful death lawsuits must be handled by attorneys and their teams who understand the complexity of the process and can make it easy for the victim's family already reeling from the loss of their loved one."
"Death caused due to someone’s negligence is a source of deep psychological trauma and can potentially derail the life of a person directly or indirectly related to the victim. Experienced lawyers will ensure the victim’s family can recover financially and try to get back to a stable place in their lives."
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(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)
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If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a hit-and-run driver, our national legal analyst Andrew G. Finkelstein is available to provide a free, no-obligation consultation to help guide you.
(Andrew G. Finkelstein, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices to help you, please call 855-976-8163 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).