East Hartford police have arrested two young men in connection with the deadly crash that killed teenage brothers Robert and La’Andrew Swain in July.
Gustavo Moreno, 20, of 44 Forest Lane, and Eric Watson, 18, of 22 Saint Regis Street, were arrested and charged.
Both were driving on the morning of July 14 and were on their way home from a trip to McDonald’s when Watson's car went off the road, according to the warrant for their arrests.
Police said the group had attended a party on Main Street the night before.
The Swain brothers were riding in Watson’s BMW, which went off the road near 380 Forest Street.
According to the arrest warrant, Watson was attempting to pass Moreno’s car and was driving at least 70 mph when he lost control and fishtailed while going around a curve. Police said the posted speed limit on Forest Street is 30 mph.
Moreno had previously passed Watson, according to the warrant.
Watson is facing several charges, including two counts of second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, two counts of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of misconduct with a motor vehicle, one count of second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol while under 21 and reckless driving.
Police said a 1.75-liter bottle of vodka was among the items they recovered from Watson's car.
Moreno, of 44 Forest Lane in East Hartford, was charged with reckless driving.
Watson said that after the crash, he saw a phone pole snapped in half, passenger Henry Le lying on the ground, Robert Swain hanging out of the car and La’Andrew Swain pinned inside, according to the warrant for Watson’s arrest.
Le, 20, was seriously injured but survived. He was sitting in the front seat and the Swain brothers were sitting in back, according to police.
La’Andrew was a student at the Manchester Regional Academy, and Robert had recently graduated from East Hartford High School.
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