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Louis Marcantonio of Bethel was arrested Wednesday, March 26, and charged with reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, first-degree manslaughter, and four counts of reckless endangerment, according to the Connecticut State Police.
Marcantonio is accused of causing the death of his 19-year-old friend, Maria Rita Cardoso Da Mata, a Central Connecticut State University student, in the April 2024 crash in Willington.
A police report released Thursday said Marcantonio was driving four friends when they went out on April 27, 2024. During the trip, Marcantonio allegedly reached speeds of up to 100 mph, one witness told police, and was weaving through traffic, according to the report.
Passengers repeatedly asked him to slow down and drive more cautiously, they told police.
Just before 10:15 p.m. on River Road (Route 32) in Willington, Marcantonio lost control while navigating a curve, police said. He tried to correct the car but clipped a mailbox, causing the vehicle to roll over. Maria Rita Cardoso Da Mata was ejected through the passenger-side window and landed on the asphalt, according to the Connecticut State Police investigation.
Police said evidence shows Marcantonio was driving up to 86 mph in a 45-mph zone at the time of the crash.
The car caught fire as the remaining passengers tried to escape. One woman told police her hair got tangled in the sunroof, trapping her.
"Get me out. I don't want to die here," she repeatedly screamed, until someone inside the car used a pocketknife to cut her hair, allowing her to escape the flames, she told police.
The four surviving passengers suffered minor injuries, according to reports.
Maria Rita Cardoso Da Mata's obituary described the Bethel teenager as a compassionate and joyful young woman.
Maria was full of life and a joy to be around. She made friends with everyone. Maria was always smiling and made it her goal to make others smile. Maria loved to travel. She loved entertaining others and cooking for them, Friendsgiving was a big event for her. She also loved all animals. Maria’s greatest passion in life was having her friends and family around her, she loved them all.
Marcantonio was released on a $35,000 bond, police said.
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