Woman killed on I-395; Driver faces DUI

Norwich (WTNH) - A Willimantic woman was killed late Monday night when her car was struck by a suspected drunk driver, police said. A passenger in her car was also injured.

The victim was identified as Iris Soto of Willimantic.

Christopher Brulotte of Voluntown was arrested by state police on multiple charges including manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.

The crash happened a little before Midnight Sunday night on I-395 northbound in Norwich near exit 81.

According to state police, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Brulotte was driving rear-ended Soto's vehicle, sending it off onto the shoulder and into some trees.

Soto was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger, identified as Myrna Rodriguez, was taken to Backus Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Brulotte also faces assault and reckless driving charges. He was expected to be arraigned in court today.

This was the second serious crash on I-395 in the past three days, and second fatal crash involving a suspected drunk driver this year.

On March 7, 2009, Connecticut College student Elizabeth Durante was killed when a suspected drunk driver going the wrong way struck the van she was riding in. The accused driver, Daniel Musser, was a sailor based in Groton.

On Friday, a tanker truck overturned on the highway in Plainfield, spilling some fuel. The highway was closed for hours so crews could safely clear the spill and debris.