Man charged with negligent homicide in fatal Westbrook crash

WESTBROOK, Conn. (WTNH) — A Deep River man has been charged with negligent homicide in connection to a head-on crash on Essex Road last June, according to Connecticut State Police Wednesday. Ryan Thomas Pulcini, 33, was arrested on an active arrest warrant on May 21. He was also charged with failure to drive in proper lane. The charges stem from the morning of June 18, when troopers responded to a two-car crash on Essex Road/Route 153. On scene, they found a 2015 Nissan Altima and a 2023 Jeep Wagoneer. The driver of the Altima- Robert Lewis Jones- required extrication and was transported to a hospital for treatment of serious injures. The 63-year-old from Chester was pronounced deceased at the hospital, according to state police. When state police spoke with Pulcini after the crash, he told them he did not remember what happened and may have "blacked out." He suffered a broken leg in the crash. Investigators determined the crash was caused by Pulcini crossing the yellow line while negotiating a curve. They also allege driver inattention was a contributing factor. Pulcini was issued a $100,000 nonsurety bond and is scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court on June 18.