Southington Woman Pleads Not Guilty

By Justin Muszynski, The Bristol Press

January 4, 2022

A local woman has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge connected to the allegation that she intentionally ran down a man on Interstate 84 in October.

The man suffered a brain injury as a result of the trauma and was taken to an Intensive Care Unit.

Diane Skwiot, 57, the suspect in the incident – which has been considered domestic violence – appeared last week in New Britain Superior Court. There, she pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree assault.

Skwiot is being held on $450,000 bond while the matter is pending. The case has been continued to Feb. 8 for a pretrial hearing.

Driving a 2014 Dodge Avenger north on West Street, on the east side of the I-84 overpass, Skwiot, as she approached the north end of the bridge, crossed into the southbound lane, on the west side of the bridge, and struck the victim as he was walking on the sidewalk around 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 7, police said. Police called the act intentional.

The victim was thrown into the road as a result of the collision. Police initially said the victim was being treated in the Intensive Care Unit at an area hospital, in critical condition, before later saying he was expected to survive, having suffered a “moderate brain injury.”

According to police, following the collision, Skwiot got out of her vehicle, stood by it briefly, and then walked away from the area. She was located near the I-84 westbound off ramp.

Skwiot was taken into custody and transported to an area hospital. She was charged after being released from the hospital.

Justin Muszynski can be reached at 860-973-1809 or jmuszynski@bristolpress.com.