Civilian Driver Charged In Fatal Crash With Vernon Police Cruiser

VERNON, CT — The driver of a civilian vehicle that was involved in a fatal collision with a Vernon police cruiser earlier this month is facing both manslaughter and drunken driving charges, investigators said.

Phillip Vargas, 33, of Vernon, was arrested in Bridgeport Thursday on an outstanding warrant, according to Manchester police, who took the lead role in the investigation for the April 2 incident along with Metro Traffic Services.

Vargas was charged with:

• Second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle
• Second-degree reckless endangerment
• Driving under the influence
• DUI with a passenger younger than 18
• Risk of injury to a minor
• Failure to grant the right of way when turning left

Vargas was processed at the Manchester Police Department and was being held on a $75,000 court-set bond. He is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Friday.

The crash took place just before 7 p.m. on April 2, 2023, at around 7:30 p.m. in the area of Hartford Turnpike and Center Road in Vernon. One of the vehicles was a Vernon police cruiser heading to a call, according to case records.

The investigation determined that Vargas was operating a compact sedan westbound on Hartford Turnpike. The vehicle was occupied by 25-year-old Bianca Colon and their 1-year-old son, according to a warrant.

Officer Andre Lisee of the Vernon Police Department was operating a police cruiser eastbound on Hartford Turnpike. He was responding to an "officer needs assistance" call at the Dobbs Crossing apartment complex and was "utilizing his emergency lights and siren," according to case records. According to a warrant, the other officer was in distress.

Vargas turned left toward Bolton Road in front of the cruiser and the vehicles collided in the intersection. Vargas' car wound up in a nearby yard with parts of the vehicle hanging from a tree. Colon died in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body had to be cut out of the vehicle, according to a warrant

Lisee, Vargas and the child were also injured in the crash, according to case records.

The investigation determined that Vargas was at fault and caused the accident.

According to a warrant, two open bottles of Guinness beer and 27 nip-size bottles of Fireball schnapps — some opened, some unopened and some damaged — were located in the car. Tests ordered by a warrant showed Vargas had a blood alcohol level of .10, over the state legal limit of .08. Vargas also had naloxone and cannabinoids in his system, according to a warrant. Naloxone is a medication approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration that is designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose.

After consultation with Tolland State's Attorney Matthew Gedansky, it was determined there would be no criminal charges against Lisee, according to case reports.

The family of Vargas has set up a fundraiser to help defray his medical costs. Click here to see it.