Bridgeport, CT, Fire Chief Gets Verbal Warning after Crash
Key Highlights
Connecticut Post, Bridgeport
(TNS)
May 26—STRATFORD — Bridgeport Fire Chief Lance Edwards received a verbal warning from police after striking two mailboxes with his just-assigned, city-owned 2025 SUV in a late-night crash May 8.
The four-page report by Stratford Officer Marc Velarde, filed May 22 and made public Tuesday, says Edwards, 63 and a Stratford resident, told police he was traveling north on Cutspring Road around 11:55 p.m. "when he lost control of his vehicle," hitting two mailboxes.
Edwards was driving a 2025 Chevy Tahoe. It "was observed to have minor damage" to the front end, according to the report, and both mailboxes were knocked off their bases.
The chief has declined comment. He was determined to be at fault for the crash and given a verbal warning for failure to drive right.
The Stratford police report also says the vehicle was not towed from the scene, but that Edwards suffered a "possible injury" and was transported to a medical facility by Stratford Emergency Medical Services.
Shawnna White, communications director for Bridgeport's emergency operations, on Tuesday declined to be more specific about the fire chief's injuries, citing privacy concerns. The city previously said Edwards was back at work May 11.
White did clarify the Tahoe was assigned to Edwards two days before the incident — May 6 — and purchased for $51,908. The SUV is undergoing repairs.
Also according to White, Edwards was not on duty at the time of the crash. Bridgeport allows the fire and police chiefs and mayor to have take home vehicles.
White also said Edwards notified the city both verbally and in writing within 48 hours, as required, and "no further action at this time" would be taken regarding the matter.
Edwards spent 27 years as a Stratford firefighter before being hired as Bridgeport's deputy chief in 2016. Mayor Joseph Ganim promoted him to helm the city's Fire Department in 2021 upon the departure of then-Chief Richard Thode.
© 2026 the Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, Conn.). Visit www.ctpost.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
May 26—STRATFORD — Bridgeport Fire Chief Lance Edwards received a verbal warning from police after striking two mailboxes with his just-assigned, city-owned 2025 SUV in a late-night crash May 8.
The four-page report by Stratford Officer Marc Velarde, filed May 22 and made public Tuesday, says Edwards, 63 and a Stratford resident, told police he was traveling north on Cutspring Road around 11:55 p.m. "when he lost control of his vehicle," hitting two mailboxes.
Edwards was driving a 2025 Chevy Tahoe. It "was observed to have minor damage" to the front end, according to the report, and both mailboxes were knocked off their bases.
The chief has declined comment. He was determined to be at fault for the crash and given a verbal warning for failure to drive right.
The Stratford police report also says the vehicle was not towed from the scene, but that Edwards suffered a "possible injury" and was transported to a medical facility by Stratford Emergency Medical Services.
Shawnna White, communications director for Bridgeport's emergency operations, on Tuesday declined to be more specific about the fire chief's injuries, citing privacy concerns. The city previously said Edwards was back at work May 11.
White did clarify the Tahoe was assigned to Edwards two days before the incident — May 6 — and purchased for $51,908. The SUV is undergoing repairs.
Also according to White, Edwards was not on duty at the time of the crash. Bridgeport allows the fire and police chiefs and mayor to have take home vehicles.
White also said Edwards notified the city both verbally and in writing within 48 hours, as required, and "no further action at this time" would be taken regarding the matter.
Edwards spent 27 years as a Stratford firefighter before being hired as Bridgeport's deputy chief in 2016. Mayor Joseph Ganim promoted him to helm the city's Fire Department in 2021 upon the departure of then-Chief Richard Thode.
© 2026 the Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, Conn.). Visit www.ctpost.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.