Middletown Man, 35, Killed in Moped Crash on Arrigoni Bridge, Police Say

Middletown Man, 35, Killed in Moped Crash on Arrigoni Bridge, Police Say

MIDDLETOWN — A 35-year-old Middletown resident was killed Saturday afternoon in a tragic single-vehicle crash on the Arrigoni Bridge, according to local authorities. Police say the man, identified as Kristopher Hinton, lost control of his 50cc moped while riding on the pedestrian walkway, leading to a fatal accident that claimed his life at the scene.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:32 p.m., according to Middletown Police Chief Erik Costa. Preliminary findings suggest that Hinton may have been traveling at an excessive speed for the narrow and confined conditions of the sidewalk, which runs alongside the busy Arrigoni Bridge — a heavily trafficked connector between Middletown and Portland that spans the Connecticut River.

“It appears that Mr. Hinton was operating the moped at a speed not suitable for the sidewalk’s width and condition,” said Chief Costa. “As a result, he lost control and was thrown from the vehicle. Tragically, despite the rapid response of emergency personnel, Mr. Hinton was pronounced dead at the scene.”

The Arrigoni Bridge, constructed in 1938, includes walkways on either side of the roadway that are technically open to both pedestrians and cyclists. However, the use of motorized vehicles on the walkway is not permitted under state and local regulations. Police have not commented on whether Hinton was aware of these restrictions or if enforcement measures were in place at the time of the crash.

Authorities said the impact of the crash was severe enough to prompt a partial closure of the bridge. Three of the bridge’s four lanes were shut down for several hours as the Middletown Police Department’s traffic division and accident reconstruction team worked to investigate the scene and clear debris. Traffic was restricted to a single lane during that time, causing significant delays on both sides of the bridge.

“The Middletown Police Department wishes to express our sincerest condolences to Hinton’s family and friends,” Costa said in a statement issued late Saturday. “This is a heartbreaking event, and our thoughts are with everyone who knew and cared about Kristopher.”

The crash remains under active investigation, with officers seeking to determine whether mechanical failure, environmental conditions, or other contributing factors played a role in the fatal incident. Police have not reported any witnesses to the crash so far, but are encouraging anyone who may have seen Hinton before or during the ride to contact the department’s traffic unit.

Hinton, a lifelong Middletown resident according to public records, was known in his neighborhood as a friendly and familiar face. Friends described him as someone who enjoyed riding small motorbikes around town and had a passion for tinkering with engines and scooters.

“Everyone in the neighborhood knew Kris,” said one local resident who declined to be named. “He was always riding around, always had a wave and a smile. It’s hard to believe he’s gone.”

No memorial plans have been announced yet by the family.

As the city mourns the unexpected loss of one of its residents, the incident also raises renewed questions about the safety and enforcement of transportation regulations on bridges shared by vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. City officials have not yet commented on whether new safety measures or signage might be introduced in response to Saturday’s crash.

For now, authorities are urging riders of all vehicles — motorized or not — to follow posted regulations, wear proper safety gear, and use designated lanes to avoid tragedies like this in the future.