Teen Charged In August Crash That Killed Passenger On Berkshire Road In Newtown

NEWTOWN, CT — A Danbury man has been charged in connection with an August crash on Berkshire Road that killed a 19-year-old passenger and injured four others, Newtown police said Wednesday.

Police said that at approximately 2:41 a.m. on Aug. 24, officers and emergency crews from Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance responded to a single-vehicle crash just west of the intersection of Berkshire and Zoar roads. Responders found multiple occupants of a red 2017 Ford Mustang GT suffering significant injuries, prompting mutual aid from Danbury Fire Medic, Brookfield Ambulance, Bethel (Stony Hill) Ambulance, Southbury Ambulance, Newtown Hook & Ladder, and Botsford Fire Rescue.

According to investigators, the Mustang had been traveling west on Berkshire Road (Route 34) at a high rate of speed when the driver failed to negotiate a left-hand curve and continued straight, striking a large tree.

Police said Mary Cordero, 19, of Danbury, who was seated in the rear middle seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. The four other occupants were taken to Danbury Hospital, two of them with critical injuries.

The Newtown Police Department’s Detective Bureau and Accident Reconstruction Team conducted an extensive investigation, including scene diagramming, witness interviews, security video review, and multiple search warrants.

On Oct. 21, Alexis Salazar, 19, of Danbury, identified as the vehicle’s driver, turned himself in to police on an arrest warrant. He was released after posting a $300,000 bond.

Salazar is charged with first-degree manslaughter under grave risk of death, tampering with physical evidence, three counts of third-degree assault, three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, making a false statement, negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, reckless driving, and operating in a no-passing zone.

Police said the investigation remains active.