23-year-old Shelton woman under house arrest in DUI death case
DERBY – 23-year-old Samantha Monaco has been ordered to be confined to her home until she is summoned to court for the trial for the accident she caused in May that left one individual dead.
The accident happened on 6th of May when Monaco crashed her motor vehicle into a Honda Accord being driven by 69-year-old Rosemarie Dwyer due to which she died. Monaco was under the influence of cocaine and morphine when she caused the accident.
According to the Police, Monaco had just finished a conversation with her friend on her cell phone when her BMW crossed the center line of River Road at around 1:30 p.m. and she struck Dwyer’s motor vehicle. Dwyer sustained life-threatening injuries in the accident for which she was given CPR at the accident spot, but was pronounced dead when she arrived at the hospital.
Monaco’s bond was set at $6,500 which she posted and was set free.
Attorney Eugene Zingaro represented Monaco in Superior court on Thursday where the judge was Peter Brown. Prosecutors requested the judge to increase the amount of Monaco’s bond to $25,000 adding that she is a danger to the community.
The judge ordered Monaco to be confined to her home. Wearing an electronic monitoring anklet is mandatory for her now as the judge ordered and she can only leave her home for medical appointments and religious services.
According to Zingaro, “We are beginning a full investigation of all her cases in the hope of a global resolution later this year.”
Monaco has been charged with:
- Second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle
- Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving while using a cell phone
- Failure to drive right
It is shown by the court records that Monaco had been undergoing “opioid replacement therapy” at the APT Foundation on Long Wharf in New Haven. The therapy started on 5th of February and she is attending the weekly session as part of a court-ordered program. However, she was discharged last month due to “lack of engagement,” as shown by a letter in her file from the therapist.
On 29th of January 2015, Monaco was released after posting $5,000 bond after being charged with interfering with police and tampering with evidence.
On 20th of November 2015, she was taken into custody again and charged with:
- Engaging police in a pursuit
- Reckless driving
- Failure to obey traffic signs
She also posted an additional $1,500 bond.
Source: www.ctpost.com
