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Man Charged in Deadly Connecticut Boat Crash
The boat crashed into the breakwall near the Lynde Point Lighthouse on Labor Day. Lighthouse Photo/Tom Richardson
A Connecticut man has been arrested in connection to a deadly boat accident on the Connecticut River in Old Saybrook in September.
Environmental Conservation (EnCon) police from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection arrested Clayton Hackling, 26, of Lyme, Connecticut, on Wednesday.
The fatal boat accident occurred on Labor Day, September 2, 2024, at the outer breakwall at the mouth of the Connecticut River. Nine people were onboard. Six were rescued from the water by first responders, but the bodies of three people were recovered over the following days. Ryan Britagna, 24, of Waterford, Connecticut, Ian Duchemin, 25, of Oakdale, Connecticut, and Christopher Hallahan, 34, of Westbrook, Connecticut, were all killed as a result of the accident.
An investigation by EnCon officers with assistance from the New London State’s Attorney Office determined that Hackling was the boat’s operator at the time of the accident.
According to the arrest warrant, GPS data showed the vessel’s speed moments before the collision was 49 mph. The documents also claim Hackling’s blood alcohol level was .17 percent, more than twice the legal limit. And a slightly higher one of .19 percent was reportedly found when his bloodwork at the hospital was tested.
An arrest warrant was issued for Hackling on Tuesday, and he turned himself in on Wednesday.
Hackling is charged with three counts of second-degree manslaughter with a vessel, three counts of first-degree reckless operation of a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, three counts of second-degree reckless operation of a vessel, one count of operation of a vessel while under the influence of liquor or drugs, one count of required and authorized lights, and one count of rules for preventing collisions.
Hackling was processed and released after posting his court set bond of $350,000. His first appearance is set for January 28, 2025, at Middletown Superior Court.
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