Man Charged In Tolland Crash That Killed Cop Appears In Court

TOLLAND, CT — The man accused of fatally striking an off-duty officer with his car appeared in court for his arraignment Tuesday morning.

Spencer Kraus, 24, of Ellington faces multiple charges in the deadly crash that claimed the life of Benjamin Lovett, a 3-year veteran of the South Windsor Police Department. He was formally advised of those charges in court.

According to the Journal Inquirer, Kraus' case was transferred Tuesday to the section of Vernon Superior Court that handles the region's most serious cases. He is currently out of jail on a $100,000 bond. The prosecution didn’t seek any change in that bond Tuesday.

Kraus' scheduled court appearance took place the same day as Lovett's wake at Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home in South Windsor. Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, July 21 at 11 a.m. in the auditorium of South Windsor High School at 161 Nevers Road, according to his obituary.

Photo of Officer Ben Lovett:

On Saturday, June 26, police said an intoxicated driver, later identified as Kraus, struck and seriously injured Lovett as he rode his motorcycle. The crash took place around 1:16 a.m. at the intersection of Hunter and Crystal Lake roads in Tolland.

Lovett, who was off duty, eventually died at Hartford Hospital from his injuries a little more than two weeks after the crash on Tuesday, July 13.

Kraus has been charged with several felonies and misdemeanors, including manslaughter, assault, evading responsibility resulting in death, evading responsibility resulting in physical injury, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, failure to obey a stop sign and failure to obey traffic control signals.

Lovett leaves behind his parents and a brother.

SEE ALSO:

• Ellington Man Arrested After Serious Crash In Tolland
• South Windsor Police Officer Dies From Crash Injuries