A 27-year-old New Haven resident was arrested and charged with one count of driving under the influence (DUI) on Thursday, May 3. The charges stem from the man’s alleged involvement in causing a fatal car crash on Jan. 18 in West Haven. The collision claimed the life of a local boxer and critically injured his friend.
Witnesses to the crash reported seeing the defendant traveling in his Honda southbound along Meloy Road in the moments leading up to the crash. The boxer was apparently driving his Acura northbound at the same time. As the motorists were preparing to pass one another near the intersection of Baker Street and Meloy Road at around 2:13 a.m., the defendant was seen crossing the center line and entering into oncoming traffic.
It would appear that the boxing star was killed from the impact in an instant. His passenger that night was left with permanent injuries from the crash.
The boxer was on his way to becoming a big star in the boxing world. In the months prior to his death, he competed in the World Boxing Council (WBC) Intercontinental Championship. He had a 23-1 record when he died.
Toxicology results showed that the man who struck the boxer was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol at the time of the crash.
Those who are critically injured in car crashes often face hefty medical costs. Those who die may leave behind family members with costly funeral expenses and lost family income. If your significant other, parent or close relative suffered permanent injuries or died in a car crash, you may have legal rights and options under New Haven motor vehicle accident laws.
Source: New Haven Patch, “New Haven man charged in crash that killed local boxing star,” Vincent Salzo, May 03, 2018