New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
City cop accused of DUI in crash that killed fellow officer
NEW HAVEN — A New Haven police officer was killed and another has been charged with DUI in the fatal three-car crash that occurred early Friday in Las Vegas.
New Haven police identified the officer who died as Joshua Castellano, a sevenyear member of the department, who was assigned to the Shooting Task Force.
“At this time, we ask for
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said in a statement that his “thoughts and condolences are with the family of Officer Castellano as well as his friends and colleagues at the New Haven Police Department.”
support as our entire department is in shock and grieving,” said Officer Scott Shumway, a spokesperson for the department.
The driver of the car, New Haven police officer Robert Ferraro, has been charged with driving under the influence and reckless driving, according to court records.
The officers were on vacation in Las Vegas when the accident occurred around 4 a.m. Friday.
Ferraro was driving a white 2020 Rolls Royce Cullinan at a high speed when he entered an intersection, according to a press release from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Castellano was sitting in the front seat and four others were also in the car, police said.
Ferraro began to lose control and drove off the side of the road, colliding with a 2021 Ford Mustang, police said. Ferraro continued down the road and ran into utility poles, landscaping and a fire hydrant, police said.
The car overturned on its roof, throwing Castellano from the vehicle, police said.
Debris from the collision also hit a parked and unoccupied 2014 Scion XB, police said.
Castellano was transported to the University Medical Center’s Trauma Unit where he died, police said.
Police said Ferraro appeared to be impaired and was arrested.
The accident is part of an ongoing criminal investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Shumway said.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said in a statement that his “thoughts and condolences are with the family of Officer Castellano as well as his friends and colleagues at the New Haven Police Department.”
“Officer Castellano served our community for seven years,” Elicker said. “We’re thankful for Officer Castellano’s service; he will be greatly missed.”