Police Investigate April 29 Car Accident After Victim Dies

Westport Police are investigating a car accident that occurred on April 29 after one of the victims died Sunday from injuries sustained in the crash.

On April 29 around 4 p.m., the Westport Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Service units responded to Greens Farms Road near Hales Road, for the report of a serious motor vehicle accident. 

Upon arrival, it was learned that a 2005 black Volvo driven by Brian Taplinger, 21, of Westport, had lost control of his vehicle while driving westbound on Greens Farms Road and struck, head-on, a 1990 red Acura.

Westporter Geoffrey Reynolds, 70, was driving the Acura, heading eastbound at the time of the crash. He was taken to Norwalk Hospital for severe leg injuries. Taplinger, who was also taken to the hospital, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Reynolds died Sunday from injuries sustained in the accident, according to a police report.

The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Westport Police Department Accident Investigation Unit. 

On the day of the accident, Taplinger told police that his dog had jumped into his lap and caused him to lose control of the car.  The dog was transported to the Norwalk Emergency Vet by Westport Animal Control and had to be euthanized due to extreme spinal injury.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an investigation as to the cause and manner of Mr. Reynolds' death.  The results of this investigation are forthcoming, according to police.