Press Releases
06/23/2023
Jury Finds Newington Man Guilty of Manslaughter, Driving Under the Influence and Other Charges in Fatal 2017 Crash in Farmington
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Hartford, CT) - Sharmese L. Walcott, Hartford State’s Attorney, announced today that Edward Brozynski, age 60, of Newington, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of Manslaughter in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-55(a)(3), two counts of Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-59(a)(3), two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-56b, two counts of Assault in the Second Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-56b, and two counts Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 14-227a.
According to evidence introduced at the trial, on the evening of September 14, 2017, Brozynski was intoxicated while driving westbound on Colt Highway, also known as Route 6, in Farmington. Occupants of an eastbound vehicle traveling from Canada to attend a funeral of a family member were heading to their hotel when Brozynski crossed over the yellow lines and collided with their vehicle at a high rate of speed. Rejean St. Pierre and Benoit Boislard, both 66 and from Quebec, Canada, were killed, while two other passengers were injured.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Samantha Magnani and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney John F. Fahey, with assistance from Inspector Carlos Ocasio and support staff from the Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office. The Honorable Michael J. Gustafson presided over the trial.
“We would like to thank the jury for its careful consideration of all the evidence that was presented at trial," State’s Attorney Walcott said. "Assistant State's Attorney Magnani was steadfast in her resolve to bring this case to a close for the surviving victims who have waited for justice."
Sentencing is scheduled for August 24, 2023 in Hartford Superior Court.