Man Enters Plea In Fatal Groton Dirt Bike Crash: Report

GROTON, CT — A man charged in a fatal dirt bike crash in 2023 faces between three and seven years in prison, according to The Day of New London.

Scott Whipple, 26, of Mashantucket, pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree manslaughter and reckless driving.

Read the full story in The Day.

Whipple is accused of driving a dirt bike in an Aug. 28, 2023, accident that led to the death of passenger Tiana Wheeler, 24.

Several callers told emergency dispatch about a multi-vehicle accident at the intersection of Long Hill Road and Meridian Street Extension that day at 9:26 p.m.

A 2010 Audi Q7 was driving south on Long Hill Road. When it approached the Meridian Street Extension, the Audi had a left green arrow allowing it to make a left turn into the Groton Shopping Center.

Several dirt bikes and ATVs were traveling north on Long Hill Road into the intersection and had a red light. Witnesses reported the dirt bikes and ATVs were going northbound, some with no lights on, according to police.

One of the dirt bikes with two riders on it, Whipple and Wheeler, entered the intersection and hit the right rear passenger section of the Audi. The dirt bike's passenger, later identified as Wheeler, struck the Audi causing fatal injuries.

Whipple was transported to Lawrence & Memorial Hospital and later airlifted to Yale New Haven Hospital for further treatment. The Audi's driver was transported to a hospital and released.

Police said the other dirt bike and ATV riders "removed the dirt bike that was involved in the crash from the scene without providing assistance to the two injured riders."

Wheeler was the daughter of former college basketball player Tyson Wheeler, WFSB 3-TV reported. Tyson Wheeler, a New London native, played for the University of Rhode Island from 1994 to 1998.

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