Suspect in Crash That Killed Firefighter Pleads Not Guilty

Willis Goodale will be back in court on May 24.

The man accused of causing a four-car crash in Montville that killed a Norwich firefighter appeared in court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty, according to the Norwich Bulletin.

Police said Willis Goodale, a Willimantic native, was under the influence of alcohol when he pulled out of a gas station into southbound traffic on Interstate 395 in Montville on Friday night, March 9.

Benjamin DeMond, 33, a Norwich firefighter and former minor league baseball player, had his two children in the car, at the time of the crash.

Police said he tried to avoid the crash and lost control of his car, swerved into oncoming traffic and struck an SUV head-on before he was hit by another vehicle.

Goodale was charged with assault with a motor vehicle, as well as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Authorities said he failed several field sobriety tests.

In 1986, Goodale was convicted of possession of narcotics, according to court records.

The Bulletin reports that the case was continued to May 24.

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