Local Cop Charged In Fatal Crash Was Distracted By Puppy: Report

HAMDEN, CT — The Milford cop arrested for fatally striking a pedestrian while driving in Hamden over the summer was distracted by a puppy in her SUV, according to the New Haven Register. Courtney Bothwell, 28, of North Haven, was arrested earlier this month in connection to the crash that killed a mother of three from North Haven. The accident occurred on July 28, 2018, on Dixwell Avenue in the vicinity of Old Dixwell Avenue, according to police.

Kristin Wilczynski, 50, of North Haven, was attempting to cross the street when she was struck by a motor vehicle that was driven by Bothwell, according to Hamden Police Capt. Ronald Smith. Emergency crews rendered medical assistance to Wilczynski, who was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital where she died shortly thereafter, Smith said at the time.

Bothwell was arrested on a warrant on Jan. 2 and charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, failure to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian and distracted driving/not cell. Bothwell is currently an officer with the Milford Police Department. She is listed as a Patrol Officer First Class on the department's website.

The Register reports Bothwell, who was off-duty at the time of the accident, told police at the scene that she looked away from the road to grab a puppy that was riding with her in the vehicle when the crash occurred.

Bothwell was arraigned in Meriden Superior Court on Monday and the case has been continued to Feb. 20.

Read more at the New Haven Register here.

Pictured: Courtney Bothwell, 28, of North Haven / Hamden Police Department