Beloved Connecticut University Professor Dies After E-Bike Hit-and-Run
Michael Shea, an English professor at Southern Connecticut State University, died on Saturday after being struck by an e-bike three weeks prior. The rider fled the scene, and authorities are seeking public assistance to identify the suspect.
Michael Shea, a professor of English at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), has died from injuries sustained in a hit-and-run incident on October 9. Shea was struck by an e-bike while crossing the street with his wife in New Haven.
The rider of the e-bike fled the scene immediately after the collision. The New Haven Police Department is requesting the public's help in identifying the suspect, described as a 5'7" black male in his late teens or early twenties with a stocky build. Police released an image of the suspected rider.
Shea's colleagues and former students remembered him as a dedicated and inspiring educator. Cynthia Stretch, SCSU English Chair, described Shea as a "walking, talking reminder of what’s best about this place: the way we teach, the way we ask questions, the way we care for one another." She added that he "will be so deeply missed by his friends and by the legions of students whose lives he touched."
Former students shared tributes highlighting Shea's passion for teaching and his ability to connect with them beyond the classroom. Dawn DeMeo, a former student and current high school English teacher, stated, "It was impossible to be a student of Mike Shea and not become his friend." She continues to use teaching techniques he imparted. Regina Misercola recalled Shea as "dynamite," noting that he often became a mentor and friend to his students, aiming to "give his students an experience that just might change their worldview, mind, and life."
Tim Parrish, an English department colleague, eulogized Shea as "the face of SCSU's faculty and a selfless champion of the humanities." He noted Shea's profound impact on students, stating, "He goes to the wall for students (it's impossible to say how much he's loved and how many lives he changed)."
SCSU confirmed Shea was the victim in the incident. The university community had reportedly been hoping for his recovery following the hit-and-run. The investigation into the fatal collision is ongoing.