Community Corner
Driver in Double Fatal Accident That Killed East Windsor Teen Charged With Manslaughter
Sara Ballard, 19, is facing numerous charges for her role in the accident.
The 19-year-old driver of the SUV involved in the double fatal accident on the South Windsor/East Windsor border on Memorial Day weekend has been charged with manslaughter, according to police.
Sara Ballard, of 405 Sandstone Drive, was charged on Wednesday with two counts of manslaughter in the second degree with a motor vehicle, two counts of assault in the second degree, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and reckless driving.
Ballard was released on $50,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear at Manchester Superior Court on July 11.
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According to police, Ballard was driving a 2003 Ford Expedition in excess of 80 miles per hour on Abbe Road when she lost control of her vehicle and left the road, striking a tree.
“That’s a 30-mile and hour residential street,” police spokesman Sgt. Scott Custer said. “They were trying to catch air.”
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In addition, Ballard had been smoking marijuana earlier in the evening according to medical records, Custer said.
Two teens - Matthew Masse, 18, of Vernon, and Brooke Wormstedt, 15, of East Windsor - died in the crash that took place on May 25. Two other teens were injured.
Wormstedt was a sophomore at East Windsor High and a member of the track and field team.
Ballard surrendered to South Windsor police with her attorney yesterday afternoon, according to Custer.Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
