Dashboard and body camera footage has been released of the Merritt Parkway accident in Westport last July, involving WWE co-founder Vince McMahon.
Driving northbound near Exit 20 (formerly Exit 41) at a speed of 110 to 115 miles an hour, the 79-year-old Greenwich resident slammed his Bentley Continental GT into the back of a BMW. He caromed off a guardrail, then continued driving before a Connecticut state trooper pulled him over.
The WWE owner told the officer he was in a hurry to get to his granddaughter’s birthday.
He received a misdemeanor summons for reckless driving and following too closely, and was released at the scene on a $500 bond. In October, he was granted accelerated rehabilitation for one year, on the condition he make a charitable contribution.
Click here or below to see the accident, and the aftermath with the state trooper. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
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As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine grinds into its 4th year, a special event will raise funds for besieged towns.
One of those is Lyman — Westport’s sister city. It was the first of several established by Ukraine Aid International, the not-for-profit founded by Westport brothers Brian and Marshall Mayer. UAI provides humanitarian aid to Ukrainian communities near the Russian border.
Next Thursday (March 5, 7 p.m.,), “Keys of Resilience” brings Ukrainian pianist Ruslan Ramazanoy to the Westport Country Playhouse. He rebuilt his life in the US following the 2022 invasion, and is now a faculty member witht the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
He’ll offer interpretations of masters like Brahms, Chopin, Liszt and Gershwin, and introduce the audience to contemporary Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk.
In addition, Connecticut-born Ukrainian-American soprano Teryn Kuzma — a 4th-generation bandurist — will play the 55-stringed harp-zither.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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The Board of Education meets tonight (Thursday, 7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria).
The 2 main agenda items are the schools’ screen time survey, and the quarterly financial report.
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Congratulations to the Staples High School boys basketball team.
Last night they routed a strong Ridgefield squad 67-49, to complete the regular season 20-0.
That remarkable run includes 15 FCIAC (league) wins), and victories over non-league Wilbur Cross-New Haven, Ramapo, Archbishop Molloy, Taconic and Scarsdale Highs. The latter 4 are out-of-state teams.
The closest contest was 53-51, over Fairfield Ludlowe. Two weeks ago, the Wreckers handled then-undefeated Trumbull by 18 points. Every other win too was by double digits.
Coach Dave Goldshore and his senior-laden ballers begin the FCIAC tournament this Saturday (February 28), with a 1:45 p.m. tipoff at Staples.
Coach Tommy Sparks’ girls team — who suffered only 2 losses in league play this year — are the first part of that FCIAC quarterfinal doubleheader. Their game starts at noon.
Staples basketball senior Drew Hill. (Photo/John Walker)
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Jennaty Med Spa — a boutique medical aesthetics and wellness spa — has just opened on the 2nd floor at 991 Post Road East (across from Starbucks).
It was cofounded by 2 nurses. They wanted to create “a private, concierge style wellness space, where patients feel genuinely cared for.”
They focus on IV hydration and wellness therapy, advanced injectables (Botox, dermal fillers), regenerative treatments and personalized aesthetic consultations.
The atmosphere is “intimate, elevated, and designed to feel more like a private wellness lounge than a traditional med spa.” Jennaty believes in “natural results, ethical practice, and long-term relationships with our clients.”
For more information, click here.
PS: The name comes from the nicknames of the 2 founders: Jennifer Velazquez and Natalia Cardona.
Jennaty Med Spa founders: Jen and Naty.
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Club203 — Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities — celebrates “the green” (aka St. Patrick’s Day) at a very appropriate place: Green’s Farms Church.
The March 9 event (6:30 to 8 p.m.) includes Irish-themed bites by Lyfe Cafê, live Irish favorites from Peter Kozak, and sweet green treats by Avery Horne.
As always, art with MoCA\CT adds a festive flair to the celebration. Guests are encouraged to (of course) wear green. Click here for more information, and registration.
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Sure, anyone can build a snowman. (And there has been more than enough snow with which to do it lately.)
But not everyone can make a creation as whimsical as this one, at the corner of Hillandale Road and Center Street.
David Squires snapped the scene, and adds: “I believe he’s hitchhiking to a warmer destination. The snow-covered sign reads Florida (I think).”
(Photo/David Squires)
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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests, between February 18 and 24.
An 18-year-old Meriden man was charged with larceny, theft of a payment card, charging less than $500 on a stolen/revoked payment card, and identity theft, following theft of a wallet from a car that was in an unlocked garage, with the garage door open. He was released on a $50,000 bond.
A 71-year-old Westport man was charged with operating under the influence and evading responsibility, following a motor vehicle accident in the Riko’s Pizza parking lot. He was released on a $1,500 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Texting while driving: 7 citations
- Failure to renew registration: 5
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 3
- Failure to obey stop sign: 3
- Speeding in a school zone, 2nd offense: 1
- Failure to remove snow/ice from roof:
- Tinted glass violation: 1
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
- Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 1
- Failure to obey traffic control signals 1.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: It’s not just courteous to remove snow and ice from your vehicle’s roof. It’s the law!
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” features doggie couture: the blizzard look.
(Photo/Cat Malkin)
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And finally … the item about Vince McMahon (above) brought to mind:
(If you appreciate “06880”‘s coverage of law enforcement matters — from our weekly Police Reports, to an item like the one on Vince McMahon — please click here to support our work. 10-4.)
That State Trooper was cool introducing himself and then telling Vince “I know who you are!” Saving Vince from speaking the terrible “Do you know who I am?” Very polite.
All Vince needed to do is apologize in an email and everyone would be complementing him. See ,see, he apologized!!! What an amazing person!!!
What a jerk. He could have killed someone.
Susan, Both him and his wife are horrible people! They are absolutely disgusting and the worst people you could possibly imagine!!
He should have been arrested and jailed. He absolutely could have killed someone.
So- I asked AI- What happens if you are caught driving 110 mph on Merritt Parkway?
Leads to an Arrest Automatic Reckless Driving:
Under Connecticut General Statutes § 14-222, driving over 85 mph on any road is automatically classified as Reckless Driving.
Criminal Offense: Unlike a standard speeding infraction, reckless driving is a misdemeanor crime. A summons for this charge is considered a criminal arrest and will appear on a permanent criminal record.
“Excessive” Reckless Driving: As of late 2025, Connecticut has enforced even stricter laws for “super speeders” exceeding 100 mph. This specifically targets extreme speeds with enhanced penalties.
Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer
Potential Penalties for 110 mph
Consequence First Offense Subsequent Offenses
Fines $200 – $600 Up to $1,000
Jail Time Up to 30 days Up to 1 year
License 30–90 day suspension At least 90 days suspension
Vehicle Potential impoundment if a prior conviction exists 48-hour impoundment
Note: The Merritt Parkway (Route 15) is particularly dangerous for these speeds due to its narrow lanes and lack of shoulders, which may lead officers to add additional charges for “endangering the life of any person”.
C G A – Connecticut General Assembly (.gov)
Lately I’ve been posting really negative posts, so I need to say something positive and nice. Dan Woog is a fantastic person, a hard working person, and as far as I’m concerned, his nickname is Mr. Westport!!
This stinks to high heaven. The fact that this creature hit someone should have put him behind bars, but even if he hadn’t, here’s what Gemini offers:
Because you are traveling at exactly double the speed limit, the situation moves from a simple ticket into criminal territory. Here is the breakdown of what typically happens:
1. Reckless Driving Charges
In Connecticut, driving over 85 mph on any highway is automatically considered Reckless Driving (CGS § 14-222).
• Criminal Record: This is a class D misdemeanor, not a simple infraction. You will likely be handcuffed, and your car will almost certainly be impounded on the spot.
• Fines: For a first offense, fines can range from $100 to $300. However, the court costs and “fees” usually push this much higher.
• Jail Time: You can face up to 30 days in jail for a first offense.
2. Immediate License Suspension
The DMV takes speed very seriously. If convicted of reckless driving:
• First Offense: Your license is usually suspended for at least 30 to 90 days.
• Subsequent Offenses: If it’s not your first time, you’re looking at up to a 6-month suspension and potential prison time (up to one year).
3. The “Merritt” Factor
State Troopers patrol the Merritt Parkway (Route 15) heavily because of its historic design.
• Safety Risk: Because there are no breakdown lanes and very short on-ramps, 110 mph is viewed by judges as “endangering the life of any person other than the operator.” This allows the state to pursue more aggressive prosecution.
• Insurance: Your insurance premiums will skyrocket. Many carriers will drop you entirely after a 110-mph reckless driving conviction, forcing you into high-risk “SR-22” insurance which is incredibly expensive.
4. …Reckless Driving (110 in a 55)
Legal Classification Criminal Misdemeanor
Court Appearance Mandatory
Permanent Record Criminal Record
Immediate Towing Highly Likely