West Hartford Gym Teacher Cited Along with Driver for Accident at South Windsor High School

The driver who struck two South Windsor High School gym teachers with a car on the morning of Oct. 17 was issued an infraction ticket for traveling too fast for conditions and obstructed view, according to South Windsor Police.

After a lengthy investigation by the South Windsor Police Traffic Unit and Metro Traffic Services, 19-year-old South Windsor resident Keith Huppe was issued the ticket for striking high school gym teachers Brenden McClay of West Hartford and James Warnock of Somers with his 1998 Volkswagon Jetta.

McClay and Warnock were also issued written warnings for pedestrian use of the road. There is no penalty for the written warnings, while the Huppe's ticket carries a fine, according to police spokesperson Sgt. Scott Custer.

No additional criminal charges were filed, Custer said.

Huppe, according to police, was traveling east at the high school toward Nevers Road when he struck McClay and Warnock, who were walking down the driveway toward the athletic fields.

"It's very common [for people to walk down the driveway]," South Windsor Chief of Police Matthew Reed said on Oct. 17. "You see them here all the time.”

But Reed noted that at time of the morning - around 7:30 a.m. - the glare from the sun for cars traveling in that direction at that time of day is particularly harsh.

"That time of the morning, the sun is killing you here through these trees," Reed said.

Both Warnock and McClay were hospitalized due to the accident. Warnock sustained a serious head injury that required surgery. He has since been released from the hospital.

Christine Wanner, director of physical education, health and athletics, said in a telephone interview that Warnock would be returning to work on Jan. 2.

McClay broke a collarbone and was released from the hospital the same day as the accident. McClay has returned to work at the school.