Rep. Case pushes for naming Route 8 bridge in memory of Winsted teen

HARTFORD – When the family of Jerry Dale Cox III found themselves without their 16-year-old son after a tragic accident in December 2010, they were only left with memories of the teen and his dream car, a 1967 Ford Mustang.

The family, however, embraced their new, unfortunate situation by establishing a memorial scholarship fund in the name of the deceased son. They took the Mustang he bought before the accident, and now use it to raise money in his name, assisting aspiring technical students to further their education.

Now, the family has the opportunity to remember their son in an additional manner: The naming of a memorial bridge, near the site of the accident.

“My son Dale, as we called him, was a wonderful young man,” Carol Cox, Dale’s mother said Friday. “He made quite the impression on his friends, family. The community has really come together to help me immensely with cherishing Dale’s honor and his memory with the scholarship.

“Many people see that bridge and remember the accident, remember my son and his name. I’d like them to say, ‘I want to be like him,’” she added.

Cox testified before lawmakers at the Legislative Office Building on behalf of House Bill 6559, which would allow the Route 8 overpass at Greenwoods Road to be named in honor of her son.

State Rep. Jay Case, R-Winchester, sat by Cox’s side as she told the legislature’s transportation committee about the memory of her son. Rep. Case, a member of the Appropriations, Energy & Technology, Environment and Human Services committees in the General Assembly, also testified on behalf of the Winsted teen.

“Dale, as he was affectionately known by his family and friends, excelled at Oliver Wolcott Technical High School repairing and restoring vehicles,” Rep. Case said Friday. “Tragically, Dale was taken from his family and our community in the winter of 2010 at the Greenwoods Road overpass. The naming of this bridge is a fitting tribute to the mark Dale had on his loved ones and countless friends as well as our community.”

Rep. Case spent the entire day with Cox at the State Capitol, showing her the House of Representatives and Senate chambers, along with a meeting with Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman.

In addition to his testimony on Cox, Rep. Case spoke on behalf of renaming a section of Route 8 for former Democratic State Rep. John “Tony” Miscikoski, known famously for extending Route 8 into Winchester and creating the state lottery.

The section of Route 8 between exits 43 and 45 is being proposed for the renaming of Miscikoski, who served 22 years in the state legislature.

Miscikoski was “a beloved member of our community who made lasting contributions to the Northwest Corner and our state,” Rep. Case said.

Following the public hearing portion, the bill is expected to be voted on by committee members. From there, it can weave its way through the legislative process before being sent to the House and Senate, where it will require a majority vote to pass.

“I’m confident in this bill, and I hope for the best,” Rep. Case said. “It’s the least this state could do for the Cox family.”