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Roger Villa, age 23, of Danbury, was arrested on Monday, May 15 for the crash which took place on Saturday, May 6 at the intersection of South Main Street and Greenbriar Lane in Newtown, said Det. Lt. Liam Seabrook, of the Newtown Police.
Newtown Police officers were dispatched to a report of an erratic driver of a blue 2009 Chevrolet Silverado traveling northbound on Route 25.
Shortly thereafter, officers located the vehicle after it struck a tree at the intersection of South Main Street and Greenbriar Lane. Seabrook said.
Newtown Police officers immediately worked to gain access to the truck and provide aid to the passenger, Franklin Marcelo Loja Paltin, of Danbury.
Botsford Fire Department and Newtown Hook and Ladder responded to the scene to extricate Loja, who was transported to Danbury Hospital where he was pronounced dead, Seabrook said.
While responding to the crash, officers found Villa walking northbound on South Main Street away from this accident scene.
Villa denied driving the vehicle at that time and was transported to Danbury Hospital for his injuries, police said.
He was charged with:
- Manslaughter
- DUI
- Reckless Driving
- Evasion of responsibility resulting in the operation of a vehicle
- Driving with a suspended license
- Failure to drive in the proper lane
Stony Hill Ambulance, Nuvance Ambulance, and a Danbury Paramedic all responded to this motor vehicle accident and assisted with medical aid and transport of the injured.
The Newtown Police Department Detective Bureau, with the assistance of the Newtown Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team, conducted a diligent and exhaustive investigation into this accident culminating in the above charges, Seabrook said.
Villa is being held on a $250,000 court-set bond.
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