LITCHFIELD — A Superior Court jury found Alec J. Cleveland, 29, of Winsted, guilty on Sept. 12 of Manslaughter in the Second Degree with a Motor Vehicle and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs.
The verdict came after a trial overseen by the Honorable Judge Eliot D. Prescott, where evidence showed that Cleveland was driving on Route 263 in Winchester on Sept. 28, 2020, when he lost control of his vehicle, causing it to veer off the road and roll over.
The crash resulted in the partial ejection and entrapment of his passenger, who did not survive the incident.
Witnesses testified that they saw the victim in the passenger seat shortly before the crash occurred.
Additionally, the prosecution presented records indicating that Cleveland’s blood alcohol content was nearly three times the legal limit at the time of the accident.
DNA evidence also supported the conclusion that Cleveland was at the wheel.
The investigation was conducted by the Winchester Police Department and the Connecticut State Police Collision and Analysis Reconstruction Squad (C.A.R.S.), with the prosecution led by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Karen Roberg.
