Driver in crash that killed 2 bikers free until court dateConnecticut Post BRIDGEPORT A Stratford teenager accused of causing the crash that killed a motorcycle-riding couple was released from custody Thursday. Naason Repollet, 18, of Main Street, was released from Superior Court on a promise to appear following his arraignment. Repollet, dressed in a white T-shirt and khaki pants, showed no emotion as he stood before Judge Richard Damiani. "It was a terrible tragedy at a very dangerous intersection," his lawyer, Alexander Schwartz, said of the Wednesday night crash in remarks to the judge. Repollet is charged with two counts of negligent homicide with a motor vehicle and one count of failure to grant the right of way in an intersection. The charges stem from the accident that killed the motorcycle driver, Artur Portela, 24, of Linen Avenue, and his passenger, Diane Covas, 22, of Beechmont Avenue. The two were riding a motorcycle on Park Avenue when it smashed into the side of Repollet's car as it turned in front of them, police said. Both died later at St. Vincent's Medical Center. Damiani continued the case to July 20. Repollet, driving south on Park Avenue in a 1992 Chevrolet Lumina shortly after 7 p.m., made a hard left turn into Maplewood Avenue, causing the motorcycle, northbound on Park Avenue, to crash into the right side of his car, according to police reports. Repollet told police he heard a loud boom on the right side of his car and continued a few feet before getting out to see what hit him. He said he never saw the motorcycle when he was turning. Police said a witness told them the car cut off the motorcycle, and the motorcycle struck the car because it had nowhere to go. Repollet was arrested at the scene by Officer Brett Hyman. |