A legal resolution has been reached in the tragic case involving a Connecticut man and a fatal crash that claimed the life of a Hartford police officer and left another seriously injured. In Hartford Superior Court, Richard Barrington, now 20 years old, accepted a plea agreement that involves pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault with extreme indifference to human life. This decision comes in connection with the death of Detective Robert “Bobby” Garten, an esteemed member of the Hartford Police Department.
Details from the arrest warrant affidavit reveal that the incident unfolded on the night of September 6, 2023. Officers from the South Street Crimes Unit had stopped Barrington at approximately 10:24 p.m. near Broad Street after observing him run a red light. Additionally, it was discovered that the registration of the 2006 Honda Accord he was driving was invalid. Initially complying, Barrington fled as officers approached, later explaining his actions to investigators as driven by fear, given his learner’s permit status and the vehicle’s inaccurate registration. He also confessed to having marijuana and a scale, and had consumed the substance about an hour before the incident.
The pursuit was not initiated by the officers, as confirmed by Connecticut State Police through surveillance footage. However, the footage did capture Barrington violating two more traffic signals, leading to a collision with a police cruiser at the Asylum Avenue intersection. This cruiser, with its emergency lights and sirens activated, was responding to an unrelated call, carrying Officer Brian Kearney and Detective Garten, who were unaware of the fleeing vehicle.
Post-collision, Barrington reportedly contacted a friend, indicating his decision to evade law enforcement. Detective Garten, a dedicated second-generation officer, succumbed to his injuries at Saint Francis Hospital shortly after the crash, while Officer Kearney endured severe injuries, including life-threatening internal bleeding, requiring an eight-day hospitalization.
After the incident, Barrington received treatment for minor injuries and was evaluated by a drug recognition expert. Findings suggested that marijuana impairment rendered him incapable of safely operating a vehicle, corroborated by THC presence in his blood samples.
Currently detained on a $1 million bond, Barrington awaits sentencing scheduled for June 20, where the plea agreement anticipates the dismissal of additional charges, including operating under the influence and reckless driving.
While legal representatives for Barrington refrained from detailed comments, citing the forthcoming sentencing hearing, the Hartford Police Union has yet to issue a statement regarding the outcome.
The Unseen Consequences
- The community mourns the loss of a dedicated officer, impacting morale and highlighting officers’ risks.
- Legal proceedings serve as a reminder of the severe consequences of impaired and reckless driving.
- The case emphasizes the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and greater public awareness.
- For the families involved, the emotional and psychological toll continues beyond the legal resolution.
- Public trust in law enforcement and the judicial process may be influenced by the outcome of high-profile cases like this one.