Pomfret, CT — A 42-year-old Mansfield man was arrested last Wednesday on an outstanding warrant for allegedly running a woman off of Route 244 last October. Court records indicate the man was three times the legal alcohol limit and operating an unregistered vehicle to bypass his court-ordered in-car breathalyzer.
According to an affidavit submitted by the Connecticut State Police in support of an arrest warrant, at approximately 3:18 PM on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Troopers were dispatched to the area of [15] Brayman Hollow Road, Route 244, for a reported motor vehicle crash.
The responding Trooper arrived to find fire and EMS treating an occupant—later identified as 41-year-old (at the time of the incident) Micah Macnaughton of Mansfield—in a gray 2009 Mazda 3i with heavy damage to the front, side, and roof. Located nearby was a 2001 Hyundai Tucson with heavy front-end and passenger-side damage, operated by a 21-year-old Woodstock woman. As the Trooper approached the Mazda, he noted the smell of alcohol from within.
As EMS cared for Macnaughton, the Trooper conducted a brief interview, asking what happened, and he explained he was attempting to pass another vehicle when he lost control. When asked where he had been heading, he initially indicated he had been heading to Mansfield, but later changed his story to say he had been heading to Mansfield from Thompson. The interview was cut short due to EMS’s need to transport for the continuation of “life-saving care.” While being transported to the hospital, Macnaughton went unresponsive and stopped breathing (respiratory arrest). The Woodstock EMS EMTs were able to stabilize him and continue transport to Day Kimball Hospital.
During the on-scene investigation, the operator of the Hyundai and a witness both indicated the Mazda had been traveling westbound on Route 244 going approximately 15-20 mph. After a time, the Hyundai entered the opposite lane to pass the Mazda, as it sped up, the Mazda matched its speed, refusing to allow the operator to re-enter the correct lane. The Mazda then sideswiped the Tucson, causing her to lose control and strike the westbound curb. The Mazda subsequently struck a utility pole and rolled twice before coming to a stop. The Trooper noted within the affidavit that the utility pole was destroyed and the damage to all vehicles was consistent with each independent portion of the story. As the investigation continued, Troopers identified an empty beer can and “nip” bottles in the Mazda, although they could not confirm when they were originally located within the vehicle due to the rollover. It was also determined that the Mazda was operating with misused plates from a Ford Ranger and was uninsured.
As part of the follow-up investigation, medical personnel were interviewed, and Macnaughton’s medical records were obtained via a warrant. EMS personnel indicated they believed Macnaughton’s respiratory arrest was not the result of a traumatic injury but instead an illicit substance. They also indicated he had admitted to consuming alcohol earlier in the day. His medical records indicated he again admitted to medical staff that he consumed “a few beers”. His lab tests came back with a blood alcohol content of .24 gram percentage, three times the legal limit of .08%. His tests were negative for illicit substances. Notes by medical staff indicated the Altered Mental Status was likely due to alcohol intoxication
When Troopers looked into Macnaughton’s arrest history, they discovered he had previously been found guilty of Reckless Driving (charged November 2009), Operating Under the Influence With a Child Passenger (charged February 2017), and Operating Under the Influence 2nd offence (charged September 2022). Based on his prior convictions, he is required to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) (in-car breathalyzer) equipped in his vehicle. The Mazda was not equipped with this required device.
As a result of the Oct. 1, 2024, crash, Micah J. Macnaughton was arrested and held on a $75,000 bond, with the stipulation that he not operate a motor vehicle upon posting bond; the bond was later raised to $250,000 for the following charges:
- Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (14-227a)
- Illegal Tampering/Altering/Bypassing an IID (14-227k(b)
- Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under Suspension-Alcohol (14-215(c)(1)
- Reckless Driving (14-222)
- Improper Use of a Marker/License/Registration (14-147(c))
- Operate or Park an Unregistered Motor Vehicle (14-12(a)*
- Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Without Minimum Insurance (14-213b)
- Improper Acceleration while Being Passed (14-232(a)(2))
- Failure to Drive In the Proper Lane (14-236)
- Operating a Motor Vehicle at Too Slow a Speed (14-220(a))
- Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree (53a-64)