Driver Charged In Fatal Crash In Meriden: Police

MERIDEN, CT — A man has been arrested on a manslaughter charge in connection with a fatal crash earlier this year in Meriden, according to police.

Denisse Acosta, 53, died after her vehicle was struck by a driver going over 80 mph as she was turning into the driveway of her home in March, according to Sgt. Stanley Zajac.

Johnathan Reyes, 32, of Meriden, turned himself in on a warrant on Aug. 11 in connection with the crash that happened March 12 on Main Street in South Meriden.

Officers responded around 3:30 a.m. to the 100 block of Main Street on the report of a crash involving two white Acuras. Reyes was driving his 2021 Acura TLX and was found to have only minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene, according to Zajac.

Zajac said the second vehicle was a 2015 Acura ILX that was driven by Acosta, who was trapped in her vehicle and extricated by the Meriden Fire Department. Acosta was taken to MidState Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased, according to Zajac.

An investigation found that Acosta was traveling west on Main Street, slowed and made a left turn into the driveway of her home, according to Zajac.

Zajac said Reyes, who lives on a nearby street, was traveling west at a speed over 80 mph, came up behind Acosta and hit Acosta in the driver’s side door as she made her left turn. Reyes was trying to pass Acosta and was in the eastbound lane when he struck her car, Zajac said.

Main Street has a posted speed limit of 30 mph, according to Zajac.

Reyes was charged with second-degree manslaughter, first-degree reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. He was released after posting a $50,000 bond with a court date of Aug. 25.

“The Meriden Police would like to thank the family of Ms. Acosta for their understanding while this investigation was completed, ultimately resulting in the arrest of Mr. Reyes,” Zajac wrote in a news release.