Middletown Man Charged In Fatal Head-On Crash: State Police

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A Middletown man has been arrested in connection with a fatal head-on crash that killed a Meriden resident in August 2025 on Route 66 in Middlefield, according to Connecticut State Police.

Jose Raul Cornejo, 56, who was arrested Aug. 10 on a warrant, is accused of operating under the influence at more than twice the legal limit, according to police.

Venancio Papalotzi-George, 46, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Meriden Road (Route 66) on Aug. 29, 2025, according to police. Family members said Papalotzi-George was driving home from work at the time of the crash.

Police said Papalotzi-George was driving a 2012 Honda Civic and traveling westbound on Route 66, and a Cornejo was driving a 2009 Jeep eastbound and both vehicles collided head-on.

Cornejo told a responding state trooper that he had five shots of tequila before operating his vehicle, according to the arrest warrant. The trooper also noted that Cornejo exhibited “numerous indicators of alcohol impairment” at the scene, according to the warrant.

Police obtained a search warrant for Cornejo’s blood and urine samples. A toxicology report from the Connecticut Division of Scientific Services Unit showed Cornejo's blood alcohol content was 0.17 percent, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent, according to the arrest warrant.

Cornejo was charged with second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, operating under the influence of alcohol / drugs, misconduct with a motor vehicle, failure to drive upon right, operating a motor vehicle with tinted or darkened windows, and failure to wear a seatbelt. He was released after posting a $150,000 bond with a court date of Aug. 25.

See also: Meriden Man Killed In Crash ‘Loved To Put A Smile On The Face Of Others’