Region: Driver charged in Dec. 26 crash that killed Waterford graduate

Police said Brianne Colonna turned herself in to Waterford police Monday after learning they had obtained a warrant for her arrest in connection with the Dec. 26, 2016, crash that claimed the life of a 24-year-old Waterford High grad.

Waterford — A Colchester woman turned herself in to police Monday night to face charges in connection with a Dec. 26, 2016, drunken-driving crash that claimed the life of a 24-year-old Waterford High School graduate.

Brianne Colonna, 27, of 118 Deer Run Drive, was charged with second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, two counts of second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, reckless endangerment, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, first-degree reckless driving and failure to drive right in a construction zone. She was released on a $150,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned April 5 in New London Superior Court.

Police said Colonna turned herself in to police at 8 p.m. after learning they had obtained a warrant for her arrest.

The three-car crash, which happened at about 1:30 p.m. on Route 1 near Reynolds Lane, killed Stephanie Turowski. Her mother, Clark Lane Middle School teacher Olivia Turowski, was seriously injured in the crash. Another passenger in the car with the Turowskis, Lauren Welp, was injured as was Colonna. A driver of the third car was not hurt. Police have been investigating the accident since December.

Stephanie Turowski graduated from Waterford High School in 2010, where she played basketball and field hockey. She went on to attend Mitchell College. After earning her diploma in 2015, she stayed at Mitchell as an intern through the Americorps VISTA program, whose members work with nonprofit organizations or public agencies to help them fight poverty.

She majored in early childhood education and was planning to be a teacher.