Groton Woman Pleads Guilty In Fatal Pedestrian Crash: Report

Groton CT

21 October, 2021

8:55 AM

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GROTON, CT — A Groton woman pleaded guilty to charges that she struck and killed an elderly couple while driving in Mystic in March 2019, according to The New London Day. Carol Belli, 75, pleaded guilty to two counts of negligent homicide with a motor vehicle. She is scheduled for sentencing in January. She is expected to be sentenced to one year in prison suspended after 120 days with four years of probation. However, Belli's attorney told The New London Day he will argue for a reduced sentence. Belli was initially charged by Stonington Police with driving drunk and negligent homicide in the deaths of elderly couple Joanna and Seth Wakeman. She was denied driving privileges by a judge in summer of 2019. Belli admitted having two drinks before she struck the couple near the intersection of Route 27 and Rossie Pentway at around 8 p.m. on a late winter night. The charge of driving under the influence was later dropped. The couple was crossing outside of the pedestrian walkway. Police said Belli was driving over the speed limit and drank alcohol while on prescription medication. The Wakemans were taken to a hospital where they died as a result of their injuries. Meanwhile, the Wakemans' estate is suing police for not handing over case reports and a civil wrongful death suit was filed. See related: Report: Plea Deal Likely In Fatal Mystic Crash