DUI Driver In Fatal Westbrook Crash Charged With Manslaughter: Police

WESTBROOK, CT — A man is facing new charges in a wrong-way fatal accident on I-95 in Westbrook, according to state police.

Troy Bree, 58, of Groton, was charged Tuesday with driving the wrong way on a limited access highway, second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, misconduct with a motor vehicle, and first-degree reckless endangerment.

He was held on $1 million bond and taken to appear in Middletown Superior Court for arraignment.

The arrest is connected to an Oct. 9 crash on I-95 southbound between exits 66 and 65 in Westbrook.

Bree drove his 2017 Cadillac ATS the wrong way on the highway, striking a 2014 Ford Mustang head-on, according to the arrest warrant.

The crash led to the death of Mark Palumbo Jr., 47, of Madison, who was the father of two children, ages 2 and 3.

See related: Madison Man Killed In I-95 Crash Was Father Of 2 Young Children

A trooper who spoke to Bree at the scene of the crash found his speech was "slow and slurred," his eyes were "glassy and bloodshot," and a "strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath as he spoke," according to the arrest warrant.

Bree told the trooper he had consumed three mixed vodka drinks at dinner and was on cold medicine for a sinus infection, according to the arrest warrant.

Bree was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital for treatment of suspected minor injuries and then charged with driving under the influence and reckless driving.

Police found his blood alcohol content at the time of the crash was 0.22%, more than double the 0.08% legal limit, according to the arrest warrant.