A 25-year-old Bristol woman is facing charges for operating a vehicle while driving under the influence. Police state that her actions on Interstate 495 allegedly played a role in the death of a 28-year-old male passenger that was riding the woman’s 2006 Scion XA.
The charges against the woman stemmed from an incident that occurred on May 13 at 12:15 a.m., when the woman reportedly pulled over in the left travel lane as she was heading to the south on I-495. According to state police, the male passenger exited the vehicle and then walked into the center travel lane where he was hit by a 2011 International tractor-trailer.
Arriving police found the man in the center lane laying on his back while two women knelt next to him. The man, who initially did not have a pulse, was transported to Milford Regional Medical Center before being flown to Umass Memorial Center in Worchester. He later died from the injuries he suffered in the accident.
Upon questioning, the woman told police that she could not remember why she was driving on the interstate before the accident. During a subsequent blood alcohol level test, police allegedly discovered that the woman had .14 percent blood alcohol concentration, which is about double the legal limit. She also reportedly failed a field sobriety test.
The woman was released on her own recognizance. She is due to return to court on July 13 for a pre-trail hearing. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured in the crash and is not facing charges.
Individuals who have lost a loved one due to a negligent driver may be entitled to compensation for their loss and could benefit from learning more about their potential legal rights.
Source: Wicked Local Mansfield, “Conn. woman ‘could not recall’ why she was on I-495 before passenger killed,” Zachary Comeau, May. 13, 2015