Greenwich man killed on Merritt Parkway in Norwalk

NORWALK, Conn. – A Greenwich man was killed early Monday on the Merritt Parkway in Norwalk when he was ejected from his car during a single-vehicle accident, Connecticut State Police say.

Daniel Taylor, 38, of 62 Pemberwick Road, Greenwich, was traveling south when his vehicle left the road at about 12:15 a.m. just before exit 40B, a state police accident report said. The 1997 BMW 740i struck the curb on the right side of the highway, then hit the wooden guard rail. It then hit the metal pole supporting the exit sign and Taylor was ejected from the vehicle, police said. He was declared dead at the scene by Norwalk Hospital paramedics, the Norwalk Fire Department said in a press release.

State Police do not know if Taylor was wearing a seat belt. They say his airbag deployed.

The vehicle traveled down the embankment and caught fire, Norwalk Fire Deputy Chief Chris King said in the press release. A state trooper put out the small fire before firefighters arrived. The BMW suffered extensive damage, King said.

Investigators did not know why the car left the highway.

The Merritt Parkway was closed on and off for about four hours, King said. Norwalk Police closed Creeping Hemlock Drive while emergency personnel were on scene, King said. The last firefighters on scene left at 4:16 a.m.

Correction made, 5:06 p.m.