Police have charged a Southington man in the crash that killed two young children in Bristol in December and said he was drunk and speeding at the time of the crash.
Michael Luponio, 26, has been charged in the December 13 crash that killed Veronica Martinez, 7, and her sister, Ivette Martinez, 4, both of Meriden.
Luponio’s blood alcohol level was .24 percent, according to police, or three times the legal limit. Authorities said he was also speeding and did not have motor vehicle insurance.
Veronica and Ivette Martinez were in the car with their mother, Kayla Torres, a 31-year-old nurse, who was driving home after a late shift at work when Luponio crossed over the center line of Middle Street just after 12:30 a.m. and hit Torres' car, according to police and family members.
The girls were pronounced dead shortly after being admitted to Bristol Hospital.
Luponio was arrested on a warrant at 10:30 a.m. on Friday and has been charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, three counts of second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, operating under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and having no insurance.
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He was was arraigned in Bristol Superior Court 17 and did not say anything. Bail remains at $500,000.
