DRINKING AND DRIVING, DEADLY

THE DEFENDANTS, MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

When people get behind the wheel of their cars after drinking alcohol, the situation can turn deadly. Two Connecticut men were brought before Judge Robert Young, in the Superior Court of Norwich on Monday, April 6, 2009. The defendants were Christopher Brulotte, 25, a construction worker of Lisbon, Connecticut and Mitch Leaghi, 51, a casino pit manager, of Uncasville, Connecticut.

Both men have been charged with second degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle and driving under the influence.

Brulotte, allegedly was driving north of I-395 on Sunday night, April 5, 2009, when he crashed his Jeep Grand Cherokee in to the rear of Toyota Cambry being driven by Iris Soto, 59, of Willimatic, Connecticut. Ms. Soto died at the scene. Her passenger, Myrna Rodriguez, 65, of Willimatic, was treated for minor injuries. brulotte's blood alcohol level was .228 and .220 when taken at 1:01 A. M. and 1:33 A. M. Brulotte supposedly said, "I'm gonna get what I deserve. I didn't mean to hurt anyone." The judge set Bruiotte's Bail at $100,000.00. His next court date is April 28, 2009.

Mitch Leaghi, who works for the Mohegan Sun Casino, turned himself into police after he found out that an arest warrant had been issued for his arrest. On October 8, 2008, Leaghi allegedly was driving east on Route 2 when his vehicle side swiped a west bound car, then hitting another westbound car and then finally hitting a bus with Foxwood Casino workers in it. The car that was struck by Leaghi was driven by Arnott, a dealer at Foxwoods Resort Casino, who had just gotten off of work. He died at the scene. The bus driver and two (2) of his passengers were hospitalized. Leaghi's blood alcohol level was .186. The legal limit is .08 in the State of Connecticut. Judge Young set bail at $75,000.00 and ordered Leaghi to return to court on May 6, 2009.

The moral of this story, is please don't drink and drive. Both Route 2 and I-395 seem to be very dangerous highways. These seem to an abnormal number of accidents that happen on both roads. These accidents are tragic to the victims as well as the drivers. Lives were shattered. Things will never be the same for these people. Is there anything that can be done to stop this situation/ Do you know? What do you think?

Editorial Footnote: Congratulations to UCCON women's basketball for winning The NCCA Championship. Well done.