CT Trooper In DUI Crash In Southbury Reaches Plea Deal: Report

SOUTHBURY, CT — Connecticut State Police Sgt. John McDonald, who injured two people in a 2019 drunken driving crash in Southbury, will not face jail time under a plea deal announced in court Thursday, reported the News-Times.

If McDonald successfully completes a court-ordered alcohol education program, the driving under the influence charge will be removed from his record.

As part of the deal, McDonald pleaded nolo contendere, meaning he did not admit guilt but essentially received a guilty verdict from a judge on two counts of second-degree reckless endangerment.

McDonald crashed his police vehicle after a night of drinking at an Oxford bar, injuring Lisa Conroy and her daughter Madison Conroy. He was placed on administrative assignment following the crash, and he could face additional discipline from state police in the future.

On Thursday afternoon, state police issued the following statement about the case:

Today, the Connecticut State Police learned of the sentencing which occurred this
morning in connection with the September 2019 off-duty motor vehicle collision involving Sergeant John McDonald in Oxford.

Now that the criminal aspect of this case has been adjudicated, the internal affairs investigation can be completed. Once the internal affairs investigation is completed, the administrative investigation will be sent to the Office of Labor Relations for administrative disposition in conjunction with the current collective bargaining agreement. John McDonald remains with suspended police powers since November 14th, 2019 and on administrative assignment, also in accordance with collective bargaining agreement.

Further information will be forthcoming once the administrative investigation has been concluded and the Office of Labor Relations in conjunction with the State Police have completed their review of the administrative investigation.

Read the News-Times story.