Motorcycle Operator Charged With Negligent Homicide In Enfield Crash

ENFIELD, CT — Investigation into a fatal September crash near the Somers town line, originally reported as a multi-vehicle collision, turned out to be a single motorcycle which left the road and struck a telephone pole, resulting in charges being filed against the operator.

As a result of the investigation, a warrant was obtained charging the motorcycle operator, Jose Collazo, 32, of Chicopee, Mass., with negligent homicide and several motor vehicle offenses. He was held overnight in lieu of $25,000 bond, and was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Hartford Superior Court.

Around 1:20 p.m. on Sept. 20, Collazo was operating a motorcycle, for which he did not have a license, on Somers Road when the bike left the roadway and struck the pole. A passenger on the motorcycle, Amanda Santiago,27, of Springfield, was killed in the crash, Police Chief Alaric Fox said.

During initial questioning, Collazo claimed a pickup truck tried to pass the bike, causing it to swerve off the road. Ultimately, this claim was determined to be untrue, Fox said.

After learning of the warrant for his arrest, Collazo turned himself in at Enfield police headquarters around 6:40 Monday evening.