Chris Brulotte was escorted out of Georgia 21 Superior Court in Norwich Connecticut on April 6, 2009. He was arraigned on charges of second degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle and other violations stemming from a serious accident. The motor-vehicle accident occurred on Interstate 395 and killed another motorist.
According to authorities, Mitch Leaghi, 50, and Christopher Brulotte, 25, were both intoxicated more than twice the legal limit when each caused fatal accidents in Eastern Connecticut. Although the two accidents were months apart, both men were arraigned on manslaughter and other charges Monday in a Norwich Superior Court.
Brulotte, of Lisbon, was traveling north at a high rate of speed and weaving in and out of traffic when his Jeep Grand Cherokee hit a Toyota Corolla driven by 59-year-old Iris Soto of Willimantic, police said.
Iris Soto was killed after her vehicle was ran off the highway and struck several trees in the area of exit 81 in Norwich. A breath test later revealed Bruolotte’s BAC was at .228 and .220.
“I’m gonna get what I deserve,” Brulotte told police while en route to the state police barracks. “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.” He is currently being held on a $100,000 bond.
Mitch Leaghi was involved in an accident on Route 2 in Preston that claimed the life of Joseph Arnott, 61, of Oakdale. His vehicle was one of four involved in a chain-reaction crash.
Authorities say Leaghi was headed east on Route 2 when his Chrysler Pacifica swerved into the westbound lane, striking two vehicles, including Arnott’s Pontiac Sunbird. Arnott lost control and was hit by a bus carrying employees of Foxwoods Resort Casino.
Leaghi, a manager at Foxwoods, turned himself in on Monday and was ordered held on a $75,000 bond. Defense attorney Christopher Morano claims Leaghi is “extremely remorseful,” Morano said.
