DUI Driver Was Racing At Time Of Fatal Crash: Stratford Police

STRATFORD, CT — Two men have been arrested in connection to a fatal crash that killed a 20-year-old Bridgeport man in April. Police say the men were racing at the time of the crash and gave officers false statements about the accident. The driver who crashed was also operating under the influence at the time, according to police.

Following an investigation, police found that Bridgeport residents Ronald Patterson and Aaron Perkins were racing on Lordship Boulevard near Access Road on April 6. Patterson was traveling at a high rate of speed, failed to negotiate a turn in the roadway and lost control of his vehicle, according to Capt. Frank Eannotti. The vehicle went off the roadway, struck a tree and came to rest near the marsh, Eannotti said. His passenger, Dawaan Edwards, died on the scene from injuries sustained in the crash.

“Patterson and Perkins gave statements to detectives that a non-contact vehicle was involved in this incident and caused the crash,” Eannotti said in a press release. “Through the examination of evidence on scene and video surveillance nearby, detectives determined there was no other vehicle in the area at the time of this crash.”

Perkins, 23, was arrested June 14 on charges of interfering with an officer, misuse of plates, operating an unregistered car and illegal racing. He was released on $2,000 bond. A photo wasn’t available.

Patterson, 29, was arrested June 19 on charges of negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, operating under the influence, illegal racing, operating with unsafe tires, reckless driving, operating an unregistered car, misuse of plates, operating without a license, operating without insurance, interfering with an officer, first-degree reckless endangerment and misconduct with a motor vehicle. He was held on a $100,000 bond.

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