Hartford Man Who Killed Trooper In Southington Sentenced: Reports

NEW BRITAIN/SOUTHINGTON, CT — The Hartford man who slammed into a beloved state trooper from Southington nearly a year ago, killing him in the process, is officially going to prison.

Alex Oyola-Sanchez, 44, of Hartford, was sentenced in New Britain Superior Court Tuesday morning to 18 years in prison, according to WTNH Channel 8 and WFSB Channel 3.

Facing multiple charges in connection with the May 30, 2024, crash, Oyola-Sanchez pleaded guilty to a single charge of first-degree manslaughter.

That plea agreement came with an 18-year prison sentence, so Tuesday's official sentencing was expected.

Still, the sentencing was not a popular one for family and friends of Southington resident and state trooper Aaron Pelletier, who was killed in the line of duty by Oyola-Sanchez, according to WTNH.

Channel 8 said the maximum sentence for first-degree manslaughter is 20 years behind bars, which is what plea deal critics contended should have happened.

Oyola-Sanchez was traveling on Interstate 84 in Southington when he struck and killed Pelletier, a lifelong Southington resident and well-known member of the community.

Pelletier was on the shoulder conducting a traffic stop with another motorist when he was fatally hit. He was 34, leaving behind a wife and two young sons.

Oyola-Sanchez, of Zion Street in Hartford, was initially charged with failure to renew registration; illegal operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance; evading responsibility of a crash causing death; illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs; failure to drive in the proper lane; second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle; failure to move over; and illegal operation of a motor vehicle without a driver's license.

He has been held on $1.5 million bond since his arrest last May. His original bond was $5 million.

Oyola-Sanchez, who is from Puerto Rico, has a violent criminal history that also includes time behind bars for murder and other felonies in Puerto Rico.

For the full WTNH Channel 8 report, click on this link.

For the full WFSB Channel 3 report, click on this link.

From Feb. 25: 'Motorist Who Killed Southington Trooper Pleads Guilty: Reports'

From June 5, 2024: 'Fallen Trooper Laid To Rest Amid Outpouring Of Emotion'

From May 31, 2024: 'Suspect Charged In Death Of Trooper In Southington: CSP'