Griswold, CT – The community is mourning the loss of Bernice LaRochelle, a 78-year-old woman who tragically lost her life in a devastating crash while walking along Main Street in the borough of Jewett City.
On that afternoon, at approximately 3:44 p.m., police say a BMW driven by 37-year-old Ean King of Norwich veered off the road, mounted the sidewalk, and struck multiple objects—including a street sign, the Post Office, two parked cars, and tragically, LaRochelle. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Another person sitting in a parked vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Following an in-depth investigation, King was arrested on Monday, July 21, 2025, and faces several charges, including:
•Second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle
•Third-degree assault
•Reckless driving
•DUI (drugs/alcohol)
•Operating on a sidewalk
•Lane violations
•Seatbelt violations
According to the arrest warrant, King claimed that an object in his back seat had rolled forward and obstructed the brake pedal. However, crash data from the BMW indicated that the accelerator remained steadily engaged, contradicting his statement. Toxicology reports concluded that King was under the influence of cannabis and a narcotic analgesic at the time of the crash.
He was arraigned Monday with bond set at $150,000, and his next court date is scheduled for September 16.
Bernice LaRochelle’s death is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired driving. She is remembered as a kind and gentle soul whose life was cut short far too soon.
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