A 29-year-old Connecticut woman charged with causing a September crash that killed another driver, that woman’s 2-year-old godson and a Labrador Retriever surrendered to police this week and was arraigned Thursday.
Connecticut State Police said Michelle Miller, of Wolcott, Conn., lost control of her red Volkswagen Jetta while speeding in the opposite direction and hit a Subaru as well as a tractor-trailer around 8 p.m. on Sept. 6 in West Hartford.
Natalia Dudzinski, 26, and her godson, Malika, were killed in the Subaru, according to the Hartford Courant. Malika was just weeks shy of celebrating his third birthday.
Witnesses said Miller emerged from her overturned Volkswagen with minor injuries asking about her dog. The yellow Lab was found dead on the street.
Charges against Miller include two counts of manslaughter, animal cruelty and operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Miller reportedly admitted to police she smoked marijuana earlier in the day and had one drink before getting behind the wheel on the day of the crash.
Authorities said Miller’s eyes were bloodshot, her blood-alcohol level was more than double the legal limit and she showed signs of physical impairment after the collision. A drug recognition expert reportedly concluded she was also using painkillers.
Miller is believed to have been driving more than 70 mph in a 50 mph zone.
A police investigation reportedly ruled out any other vehicles being involved in the deadly crash after witnesses suggested another driver may have cut in front of Miller’s car. Her Volkswagen and the Subaru, which police said was also speeding, were heavily damaged in the collision. Miller reportedly told police at the hospital the chaos occurred when another car cut into her lane.
The truck driver appeared shaken after the wreck. He recalled seeing a red car emerge from a cloud of smoke to strike his vehicle.
Miller was held on $750,000 bond. Her case goes to court Aug. 22. She hasn’t entered a plea.
