Roughly a year after a Long Wharf drag race led to a five-car crash on Sargent Drive and resulted in one person dead, city police have arrested two other drivers on first degree manslaughter, among other charges.
New Haven Police Department (NHPD) spokesperson Sgt. Cherelle Carr announced the arrests made earlier this month in a press release last Wednesday. An arrest warrant affidavit from this case obtained by the Independent sheds further light on what happened during the fatal drag race, and why police wound up making two arrests.
According to Carr’s press release and the affidavit written on Oct. 28 by city police Officer Jeffrey Rivellini, at 2:18 a.m. on Oct. 30, 2022, city police responded to reports of a car accident with major injuries. A total of five cars were involved: a Honda Civic, a Subaru, a BMW, a Honda Fit, and a Toyota Highlander.
After the NHPD Crash Reconstruction Team investigated the scene, acquired nearby video surveillance, and interviewed witnesses, police were able to uncover the events of the night:
The operators of the Honda Civic and the Subaru, who were originally from Massachusetts, came down to New Haven with friends for a car meet. Before returning home, the two drivers decided to race each other, beginning at the traffic light near the Mobil gas station located at 200 Sargent Dr. Both cars had one passenger each.
As both cars sped north on Sargent Drive, the driver of the BMW pulled up along the driver’s side of the Subaru. The cars made contact, leading the Subaru driver to lose control of the car and hit the Honda Civic on its opposite side.
The Honda Civic then crossed the double yellow line and into south-bound traffic, resulting in a head-on collision with the Honda Fit. The Honda Fit then collided with the Toyota Highlander, also traveling south.
The operator of the Honda Civic, identified as 31-year-old Carlos Gonzalez, died of his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene. The passenger suffered serious injuries — including a shattered chin and bleeding in the brain — and was in critical condition before his recovery.
The operator of the Honda Civic had previously removed the car’s front seat belts, airbags, and the rear bench seat and passenger seat, among other alterations.
There were five people in the Honda Fit, all of whom suffered significant injuries. All were transported to Yale New Haven Hospital.
The driver of the BMW reported back pain after the accident and was also transported to Yale New Haven Hospital. A toxicology report found that the driver’s blood alcohol content was 0.08 percent.
Police have arrested the operator of the BMW for the following violations of Connecticut General Statutes: manslaughter in the second degree with a motor vehicle, manslaughter in the first degree, assault in the second degree with a motor vehicle, assault in the first degree, reckless driving, operating under the influence, and racing.
The driver of the Subaru has also been arrested and faces the following charges: manslaughter in the first degree, assault in the first degree, reckless driving, and racing.
I notice there are now at least two speed bumps on the portion of Sargent Drive between S. Church Street and IKEA, which will hopefully prevent reckless driving and consequent senseless loss of life in the future.