This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
05/04/2022 12:00 AMA Branford deputy fire marshal has been placed on administrative leave, following her May 3 arrest by North Branford police in connection to a fatal hit-and-run accident thatoccured in October 2021 in that town.
Branford Deputy Fire Marshal Amanda Mark, a Killingworth resident, turned herself in on May 3 at North Branford Police Department on an outstanding warrant in connection to the Oct. 16 accident which took the life of a 52-year-old North Branford resident, Douglas Clark, who was struck while on foot (see related story).
Zip06/The Sound contacted the office of Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove and contacted Branford Fire Chief Tom Mahoney to learn of Mark being placed on administrative leave.
Both shared the following statement, "We were informed yesterday that Firefighter/Paramedic Amanda Mark turned herself in at the North Branford Police Department, related to a hit and run accident that occurred on October 16, 2021 that resulted in the death of Douglas Clark. On behalf of the Town of Branford, we express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Clark. Firefighter/Paramedic Mark has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal review. At this time, given the seriousness and sensitivity of the pending allegations we have no further comments."
North Branford police have charged Mark with evasion of responsibility in operation of a motor vehicle resulting in death 14-224 (a). She is scheduled to appear in New Haven Superior Court on Friday, May 13.
The accident vicitm, Clark, was located by North Branford first responders at 27 Branford Road (Route 139) in the early morning hours of Oct. 16, after a passerby called emergency services to render assistance to a person for an unknown medical issue. Following initial investigation by NBPD's detective unit, on Oct. 20, 2021, police seized and secured for further processing a green 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sahara located in Killingworth; the vehicle reportedly had damage consistent to the accident.
Mark was hired as Branford's first full-time female paramedic/firefighter in September 2009 at the age of 24. She was one of two paramedic/firefighters hired by Branford Fire Department (BFD) among a pool of 18 candidates. At the time of her hire, former BFD Fire Chief Jack Ahern told The Sound that she rose to the top of the hiring pool as an "exceptional" candidate during the hiring process.
Branford's Board of Fire Commissioners promoted Mark to deputy fire marshal at Branford Fire Department on June 29, 2021.