Ellington Man Gets 11 Years In Crash Which Killed South Windsor Cop

VERNON, CT — An Ellington resident who pleaded guilty to manslaughter with a motor vehicle in connection with a fatal crash in Tolland in 2021 was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison, suspended after 11 years, and five years' probation.

Spencer Kraus, 26, was sentenced by Judge Kathleen McNamara in Rockville Superior Court, according to Matthew C. Gedansky, Tolland State’s Attorney.

In the early morning hours of June 26, 2021, Kraus ran a stop sign at the intersection of Hunter and Crystal Lake roads in Tolland and crashed into a motorcycle being operated by Benjamin Lovett, 25. Lovett, an off-duty police officer in South Windsor, died at Hartford Hospital from his injuries on July 13. A passenger on Lovett's motorcycle sustained serious injuries.

Kraus attempted to flee the scene but, with the assistance of witnesses, he was apprehended and detained. He exhibited signs that he was under the influence of alcohol, failed field sobriety tests and his blood alcohol level later measured .135 and .126, Gedansky said.

Kraus pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, second-degree assault with a motor vehicle and evading responsibility. He also pleaded guilty to another charge of evading responsibility stemming from a separate incident, Gedansky said.

The South Windsor Police Department released the following statement Friday:

"We’d like to thank the State’s Attorney’s Office at GA-19 and the Connecticut State Police for their efforts in this case. Although it will not bring Ben back to us, we appreciate the fact that, to some extent, there is closure to what has been a difficult period for our agency and more importantly for the Lovett family. We will forever stand with the Lovett family and ensure that Ben’s legacy as a South Windsor Police Officer carries on. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of the families affected by this tragedy.

"Officer Lovett was hired by the South Windsor Police Department in April 2018 by Chief Timothy Edwards. After completing training at the Connecticut Police Academy in September 2018, Officer Lovett entered the South Windsor Police Department’s Field Training Program and subsequent probation period. During the training and evaluation period, Officer Lovett demonstrated himself to be pro-active, effective and a valuable team player. He was assigned as a patrol officer in the Operations Division where he excelled and grew as a new officer.

"In the spring of 2020, Ofc Lovett was temporarily assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau. This was an experimental assignment to give newer officers exposure to specialized positions. Officer Lovett proved himself a capable apprentice. In May 2020 he tested for the position of Narcotics Investigator and was appointed to the East Central Narcotics Task Force, a regional team comprised of Manchester, Vernon, Glastonbury and South Windsor officers. Officer Lovett became a valuable asset to the team and continued to grow in his abilities and talents as an investigator working with the other agencies.

"Officer Lovett has received numerous letters of appreciation from the public, he is the recipient of the 2020 Mothers against Drunk Driving (MADD) recognition award, he served as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) within our department, a certified Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) member, and he held numerous investigation and narcotic training certificates. Most of all, Benjamin was a valuable member of the department, an easy going and bright officer, a friend and a co-worker who is greatly missed by his family at the South Windsor Police Department."