The Bristol man accused of causing a crash in August that killed an 83-year-old woman and seriously injured an 85-year-old was under the influence of drugs and using his cellphone when it happened, police said.
Police said Elvis Caban, 21, of Bristol, was driving a 2004 Cadillac CTS west on Stevens Street in the area of Cherry Hill Drive just before 8:30 a.m. on August 24, crossed the center line and struck a 2009 GMC Acadia carrying four people head-on.
All five people were trapped and had to be extricated, according to police
Lifestar transported Sophie White, 83, of Bristol, a passenger in the Acadia, to the hospital.
She died at 3:40 p.m. on Saturday, August 24 at Hartford Hospital as a result of the injuries received in the crash, police said.
Penelope Sobolewski, 70, of Bristol, was driving the Acadia and suffered minor injuries.
Two other passengers in her car, Evelyn Petosa, 84, of Bristol, and Mary Ann Spirito, 66, of Bristol, were also injured, according to police.
Caban was alone in the Cadillac, police said.
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He was arrested at police headquarters this morning and has been charged with first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, second-degree assault, operating under the influence of drugs, fail to drive right, using a cell phone, distracted driving and failure to wear a seatbelt.
Police said there was also probable cause to indicate that Caban was texting.
His attorney, Mark Ziogas, said Caban was also injured in the crash and only tested positive for drugs because first responders medicated him with fentanyl, an opiate that would show up in a blood test.
He was arraigned today. Bond was set at $250,000 surety bond and he is due in court on Jan. 3.
