An 86-year-old man appeared in Hartford Superior Court on Tuesday, facing manslaughter charges nearly a year since the crash on Route 6 in Farmington that killed his wife, a pregnant mother and her unborn child.
A judge continued the case of Robert Carroll, of Bristol, to Aug. 19 so his new attorney could have more time to review it.
Carroll was driving in Farmington with his wife, Ruth, 86, last October when he turned left onto Route 6 and collided with a minivan driven by 27-year-old Melinda Hart, a pregnant mother from Bristol. Hart's three children were in the back seat.
Police say Carroll turned left into coming traffic.
Carroll was seriously injured and treated at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford after breaking his leg in the crash. He used a walker in court Tuesday.
Hart, who was eight months pregnant, and Ruth Carroll were critically injured and later died at the UConn Health Center in Farmington.
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Hart's unborn child didn't make it, but her 4-, 6- and 8-year-olds survived and are living with the father of two of the children.
The father, Patrick Muscillo, told NBC Connecticut on the phone that times are still "difficult," but that the kids are with him and are doing well. He declined to comment on Carroll's case at the advice of his attorney.
Carroll was arrested July 16 and charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter, second-degree and third-degree assault, and first-degree reckless endangerment and also cited him with traffic control signal and seat belt violations, according to online court records.
He posted $10,000 bond and was released.
