Deadlocked Jury Forces Mistrial In Stamford Pedestrian Fatality

STAMFORD, CONN. -- The case against a Norwalk driver who ran over a pedestrian two years ago has ended in a mistrial, according to a report by The Stamford Advocate.

A mistrial has been declared in the case of Natalie Gainer.
Photo Credit: *Stamford Police Department*

Janice Pielert was struck and killed at the intersection of Hoyt and Summer streets in Stamford in 2014. A mistrial was declared after jurors deadlocked on negligent homicide charges against the driver, Natalie Gainer.
Photo Credit: *File*

Carol Reif

04/20/2016 4:45 p.m.

Jurors deciding charges of negligent homicide with motor vehicle against Natalie Gainer declared themselves to be deadlocked forcing the judge to dismiss them Tuesday, The Stamford Advocate reported.

Gainer, 50, had struck and killed Janice Pielert in 2014 as the 58-year-old legal assistant was crossing at the intersection of Hoyt and Summer streets, police said.

According to earlier reports in the Daily Voice, Pielert was trapped beneath Gainer’s 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe and had to be extricated by emergency crews.

Pielert was unconscious, but alive, when freed. She died later at Stamford Hospital.

According to the Daily Voice report, Gainer also had also been taken to the hospital where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released.

The tragedy occurred just two days after the city announced an initiative to improve traffic safety, the Daily Voice story said.

Three pedestrians had been struck by cars and killed in 2014 in Stamford.

Medical tests showed Pielert had marijuana in her system at the time of the accident, according to The Stamford Advocate report.

To read The Stamford Advocate article, click here.

To read the Daily Voice article, click here.

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