Maxwell Nemec, of Cheshire, is charged with second-degree manslaughter, reckless driving and misconduct with a motor vehicle, Connecticut State Police said Friday, Dec. 6.
Nemec was driving a 2014 Nissan Juke eastbound on I-84 in Southington just after 6:45 p.m. on Feb. 15
Witnesses told officers that Nemec was speeding in the left lane when he came behind Lesley Petrafassi's BMW near Exit 31, a police report said.
Nemec moved into the center lane and accelerated to overtake them on the right side, but as he tried to cut in front of Petrafassi, he rammed the front of their car with the back of his vehicle, causing them to skid and plunge down the interstate lane, says the report.
Based on the crash data, investigators said Nemec was driving between 95 and 102 mph at the time of the crash, well above the posted speed limit of 65 mph.
Nemec jumped out of his wrecked SUV and ran to Petrafassi's aid, police reported. He told officers she was breathing but unresponsive when he got to her. He held her head until paramedics arrived.
Emergency responders initially took Petrafassi to Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, but her injuries exceeded the capacity of the intensive care unit. She was flown to Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, where she died weeks later surrounded by her family.
Nemec suffered only a few cuts and bruises in the accident, police said.
According to her obituary, Waterbury native Lesley Petrafassi is survived by her husband of 24 years, two daughters and two grandchildren.
“Lesley loved to cook, shop, play cards, remodel the house, decorate, travel and most of all, laugh and spend time with family,” the obituary reads.
According to authorities, Nemec was released from custody after posting $100,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on December 19th.
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