State Trooper Danielle Miller Killed In Crash Was Speeding, Driving Drunk

In a statement Monday, the Connecticut State Police Department said it was saddened by the emerging details of the Feb. 3 crash in Wolcott.

"The Wolcott Police Department investigation report revealed that Trooper Miller sustained fatal injuries while operating the vehicle at a high speed and under the influence of alcohol," the statement said. "Her car struck an oncoming vehicle. Fortunately, that driver was not seriously injured."

The Naugatuck Valley Accident Reconstruction Team said Miller's cruiser and a 2004 Ford pickup collided head-on on Wolcott Road (Route 69) around 8:48 p.m.

Wolcott Police Chief Edward Stephens said that Miller was driving 79 miles per hour in a 40-mile-per-hour zone before the crash and her blood alcohol content registered at .24.

"We all make mistakes whether in law enforcement or not," the chief said. "Unfortunately, Trooper Miller paid with her life."

Stephens said the other driver, who knew Miller, was forced to move out of town because people jumped to conclusions that it was his fault.

"The poor kid had to move out of town. You know, people were calling him names, cop killer, things like that. He was just a victim in this," Stephens said.

The state police said that Miller’s death serves as a painful reminder of the dangers and the devastating consequences of impaired driving. 

"The Connecticut State Police, as are all law enforcement agencies, steadfast in their efforts to reduce the number of alcohol-related incidents along our roadways," they added. "As an agency, we mourn Trooper Miller’s passing. We also maintain a zero-tolerance policy with respect to operating a state vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs."

There is no relationship between Trooper Miller and Trooper First Class Kevin Miller, who died in the line of duty as the result of a motor vehicle crash on I-84 on March 29.

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