The man who pleaded guilty in the crash that killed Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier in May of last year has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Alex Oyola-Sanchez, 45, was sentenced at a hearing in New Britian after pleading guilty to first degree manslaughter as part of a plea deal in February.
Police say Oyola-Sanchez admitted to taking drugs before his vehicle swerved onto the shoulder of I-84 East in Southington, slamming into Trooper Pelletier, 34, who had stopped another vehicle for a seatbelt compliance check.
Oyola-Sanchez sped from the scene. A good Samaritan followed him until Oyola-Sanchez's vehicle broke down, at which point police were able to catch up with him and take him into custody.
Trooper Pelletier's widow, Dominique, and the state police union have argued an 18-year sentence isn't enough. The maximum sentence for the manslaughter charge was 20 years.
"We had hoped and asked and wrote a letter to get the maximum 20 year sentence," said Todd Fedigan, president of the Connecticut State Police Union. "So, we are disappointed, but we also respect the court's decision."
Pelletier is survived by his wife and two young sons.
Given an opportunity to speak at sentencing, Oyola-Sanchez apologized and asked the Pelletier family for forgiveness.
