Driver in Yale tailgating accident in court

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- The 21-year old driver of a U-Haul truck that hit and killed a woman tailgating outside a Yale-Harvard football game faced a judge Monday.

The courtroom was a far cry from the Ivy League campus, and Yale student Brendan Ross looked uncomfortable as he stood before the judge charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle.

His mother was in court Monday to support him.

The Yale student turned himself in to police Friday after finishing his final exam for the semester.

It's been almost six months since he was driving a U-Haul loaded with kegs and plowed into a crowd tailgating prior to the Yale-Harvard game.

News 8 learned Monday that the first thing he said to police was "I'm sober, I'm sober" followed by "oh my God, what did I do, it was an accident."

Court documents reveal witnesses support Ross's claim the U-Haul suddenly lurched forward.

Police talked to others who had just rented the same U-Haul and they reported no problems with the truck.

A police mechanic also found no issues with the gas pedal or the break.

The defense team plans to do its own inspection.

"Now it's my opportunity to examine the vehicle and have an expert look at it, do that type of stuff," said William Dow.

Ross is going home to St. Louis for the summer and the judge says he doesn't have to appear here in court in person next month.

His lawyer maintains that the Yale student is not getting special treatment.

"He has acted responsibly throughout," said Dow.

Ross is expecting to be back at Yale in the fall, even though conviction could bring a six month jail term.