Kids Unsecured in Car During Fall Crash in Southington: Warrant

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A woman did not have children secured in her vehicle before a November crash in Southington, an arrest warrant indicates. She is now facing multiple charges, police said.

Stephanie Matos, 22, of Bristol surrendered on Tuesday after learning of an outstanding warrant for her arrest.

The warrant charged Matos with two counts of risk of injury to a minor, reckless endangerment, possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana, reckless driving, traveling too fast for conditions, following too

closely, failure to drive in the proper lane, and two counts of violations. It was the result of an investigation into a motor vehicle collision she was involved in on West Street near the Southington/Bristol line in November, according to the warrant.

An investigation showed that that Matos was driving her vehicle south on Middle Street in Bristol and entered
Southington.

Matos was driving erratically, moving in and out of lanes of traffic, and traveling at a high rate of speed and, as she approached the area of ESPN Drive in Southington, lost control of her vehicle and traveled into the northbound lane of traffic where she struck a northbound vehicle, according to the warrant

Both vehicles were sustained "extensive damage to both vehicles.

At the time of this incident Matos had two children, ages 5 and 1, in her vehicle and both were not properly secured in child seats, according to the warrant.

The 5-year old and the two occupants of the other vehicle both sustained serious injuries, according to the warrant. The 1-year-old also suffered injuries in the collision, according to the warrant. During the course of the on scene investigation, Matos was found to be in possession of marijuana, a warrant indicates.

Matos was being held on a $10,000 court set-bond and was to appear in Bristol Superior Court Tuesday.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel