$20 Million Bail For John Wadlinger
by Alex Lloyd Gross
John Wadlinger made his appearance before District Judge Kevin Wagner to answer for his charges. They include Homicide by Motor Vehicle as well as homicide by vehicle while DUI, homicide by vehicle, and involuntary manslaughter. He also faces counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, aggravated assault by vehicle, accidents involving death or injury, accidents involving death or injury while not properly licensed, driving under the influence, recklessly endangering another person, fleeing or eluding police, and flight to avoid apprehension. There are also several traffic tickets as well.
The crash scene Photo submitted
He was brought to court wearing a yellow jumpsuit , clearly marked INMATE on the rear. As he was being brought in in shackles, he turned his head in a feeble attempt to avoid the media. He said nothing as he went into court. In court, he admitted he was on State Parole at the time of the crash.
The crash scene Photo Dawn Altstatt
While he was held in custody, he had plenty to say on the telephone. to friends, recalling that the vehicle he was driving had bad brakes. He laughed at the dump truck he stole, “It has a sign that said “free” on it”, police wrote in charging documents
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It was back in February when Wadlinger allegedly drove 73 MPH through the intersection of 413 and Ford Road, hitting another vehicle, killing Rebecca Whiddon, 33, and Richard Whiddon, 37, both of Brooklyn, Connecticut. After the crash, he ran on foot, allegedly stole a dump truck, crashed that cand ran again, before he was arrested.
During his court appearance, he was called a” Danger to society” by Assistant District Attorney Christine Sassane. Judge Wagner determined that he was entitled to bail and set it at $20,000,000. “You need to come up with $2 million cash to be released”, Wagner said.
Police went back to the crash scene at least twice after the crash to take measurements and do skid tests. You can read the original story here.