Suffield Teen Involved in Fatal Crash Charged With Manslaughter

A Suffield teenager who crashed his car into another vehicle in March, killing its driver, has been charged with manslaughter.

Following a lengthy investigation by an accident reconstruction team, Colin McFarlane, 19, was charged with second-degree manslaughter, reckless driving and engaging police in pursuit.

A warrant was served on McFarlane Dec. 22 at the Simsbury Police Department, and he was held on $100,000 bond. At his arraignment in Enfield Superior Court, his bond was reduced to $25,000, which he posted and was released.

According to Suffield police, an officer noticed two vehicles traveling eastbound on Bridge Street at a high rate of speed after 11 p.m. on March 13. The two vehicles were traveling close together at about 60 mph in a 35 mph zone.

One of the vehicles, operated by McFarlane, went through a stop sign at the intersection of East Street and collided with a vehicle traveling northbound driven by William Caruthers, 61, of Suffield, according to police.

Caruthers was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

McFarlane stayed at the scene and cooperated with police.

He is due to return to court Jan. 15.