Man Charged in Fatal Merritt Parkway Crash

A Bridgeport man accused of rear-ending another car while driving drunk and speeding on the Merritt Parkway in Stratford in 2015 has been charged in connection with the crash that killed another man.

Police said Jonathan Rosa-Whitlock, 27, of Bridgeport, was going 82 miles per hour around 1:43 a.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2015 and crashed into the car Jesus Rivera, 27, of Bridgeport, was driving in. 

The speed limit on the Merritt Parkway is between 45 miles per hour and 55 miles per hour. 

Both drivers lost control of thei vehicles and Rivera had to be extricated from his 1999 Honda Civic Once he was free from the car, he was transported to St. Vincent's Hospital, where he died of his injuries, according to polcie.

His passenger, Jessica Dasilva, 22, of Bridgeport, was taken to Bridgeport Hospital to be treated for serious injuries.

Rosa-Whitlock was charged with speeding, operating under the influence, failure to drive a reasonable distance, second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle and second-degree assault with a motor vehicle. 

Bond was set at $15,000 and he was released.

Rosa-Whitlock is due in Bridgeport Superior Court on March 9,

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