Ryan Britagna, Ian Duchemin and Christopher Hallahan Death: A 26-year-old man has been charged in connection with a tragic boat crash that claimed the lives of three people in September 2024 at the mouth of the Connecticut River in Old Saybrook.
Clayton Hackling, a resident of Lyme, was arrested on Wednesday by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police. Authorities confirmed that Hackling was operating the 31-foot boat involved in the crash.
The incident occurred on Labor Day near the outer breakwall at the river’s mouth, with nine people aboard the vessel. First responders rescued six passengers from the water, all of whom sustained serious injuries.
A multi-day search operation led to the recovery of three deceased passengers: 24-year-old Ryan Britagna from Waterford, 25-year-old Ian Duchemin from Oakdale, and 34-year-old Christopher Hallahan from Westbrook.
Following an investigation, the Connecticut Superior Court in New London issued an arrest warrant for Hackling on Tuesday. He turned himself in the following day.
Hackling now faces multiple charges, including three counts of second-degree manslaughter with a vessel, three counts of first-degree reckless operation of a vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol, three counts of second-degree reckless operation of a vessel, operating a vessel under the influence of liquor or drugs, failure to display required lights, and violation of rules for preventing collisions.
He was released after posting a $350,000 court-set bond and is scheduled to appear in court on January 28.
The post Clayton Hackling Old Saybrook Boating Accident: 26-year-old man arrested after boat crash that killed three near Connecticut River in Old Saybrook first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
