Bethel man charged in death of officer

Bantam, Conn. (WTNH) - A Bethel man is now officially charged in connection with a hit and run that left a Danbury police officer dead.

47-year-old James O’Neill of Bethel is charged with running down Officer Donald Hassiak while he was riding his bike to work last month in New Milford.

He appeared in Bantam Superior Court where the fallen officer's family attended Wednesday’s arraignment.

O'Neill is already in jail for violating probation, but he was back in court Wednesday to face new charges of hitting and killing police officer Donald Hassiak.

O'Neill stood before a judge for a laundry list of charges, including misconduct with a vehicle, evading responsibility and tampering with evidence. He is not yet charged with the more serious crimes, like vehicle manslaughter, but police say he is responsible for the death of 41-year-old Donald Hassiak.

The Danbury police officer was on his way to work June 3rd biking down Route 7 when he was struck by a car. The driver left the scene.

According to court papers multiple witnesses and acquaintances of the accused O'Neill led police to him. They found him with the car in question – a damaged 1995 silver Buick Skylark.

O'Neill appears to be homeless, living out of the car and doing odd construction jobs when he could find them. He was intoxicated when police tried to question him and could not account for his whereabouts.

After O'Neill's brief appearance in court relatives of Hassiak met with the victim's advocate and then, holding hands, walked solemnly away from Bantam Superior Court to see the suspect in court. They said the arraignment was difficult and emotional.

“That's all we'd like to say, we just thank the police departments and everyone, the prosecutor's office and the victim's advocate,” said Peter Hassiak, Officer Donald Hassiak’s brother. “They're fantastic with it.”

Officer Hassiak was laid to rest in his hometown of New Milford on June 9th.

He leaves behind a wife and three young children and a community grateful for his lifelong service to them. They remain baffled how someone could just leave him helpless and dying on the side of the road.

O'Neill will be back in court August 3rd.