Guilty plea in New London double fatality

Jonathan Hayer has pleaded guilty to causing the death of two of his friends on June 19, 2011 when he crashed his car on a New London street while driving at high speed and under the influence of alcohol.

The 22-year-old city man will be sentenced April 10 to up to eight years in prison for two counts of second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Under a plea deal worked out between prosecutor Christa Baker and defense attorney Thomas Simones, the defense has a right to argue for a sentence reduction of up to two years, but Judge Kevin P. McMahon has indicated he thinks eight years in prison is appropriate.

The mothers of the victims, 21-year-old Orlando "Capo" Acosta and 22-year-old Emiliano "Pookie" Perez both feel that a six or eight year sentence is too short for the man who caused their sons' deaths.

"It's making me sick," said Norma Alamo, who is Acosta's mother. "It's too lenient. What's going to stop another drunk driver from going out there and killing somebody?" Alamo was in court with several family members and Attorney Susan Carr, who is handling an insurance claim for Acosta's estate. Alamo said her son's death has been rough on her family, which is extremely close. Acosta was to start classes at a local technical training school on the day of his funeral, she said.

Perez's mother, Lourdes Vega, who also came to court with several supporters, said the plea agreement left her speechless and angry.

"No time is going to bring him back, but three years (per victim) is not enough," she said.

Hayer had picked up his two friends and was headed to a downtown club when he crashed his BMW into a large oak tree at the intersection of Vauxhall and Channing streets. He was driving 66 mph and had a blood alcohol level of .112, according to the state.