Driver pleads no contest prior to road rage trial
A former Niantic resident accused of intentionally striking a motorcyclist with his SUV in June 2014 pleaded no contest and agreed to pay $75,000 in restitution to the victim on the eve of his trial, which was scheduled to begin Tuesday in New London Superior Court.
Christopher R. Hollaway, 50, a longtime member of the Niantic Fire Department and former employee of Millstone Nuclear Power Station, will receive a fully suspended prison sentence and three years of probation if he brings a $25,000 restitution payment to his sentencing on March 23.
Hollaway is now living in New Britain, according to his court file. He pleaded no contest to third-degree assault, second-degree criminal mischief and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Under a plea agreement worked out between prosecutor Michael E. Kennedy and defense attorney Bryan P. Fiengo, Hollaway will be required to pay the $50,000 balance of the restitution to victim George Krawshuk Jr. while on probation.
According to police, Hollaway was driving a 2008 Toyota Highlander on June 27, 2014, when he intentionally bumped the rear of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle operated by Krawshuck, 55, of Farmington while stopped at a stoplight the intersection of Route 156 and Route 161 in East Lyme.
When Krawshuk "reacted," police said Hollaway again intentionally struck the rear of the bike, causing it to fall over. Krawshuk fell to the ground, striking his head. Police said Hollaway left the scene and drove to the Niantic Fire Department, where he was taken into custody.
Krawshuk suffered a traumatic brain injury and other injuries and has been unable to work. He has filed a civil lawsuit against Hollaway.
While on probation, Hollaway will be required to undergo any mental health treatment deemed necessary, including anger management counseling.
According to Hollaway's court file, the prosecutor was precluded from eliciting testimony from Hollaway's ex-wife, Deborah, that Hollaway asked her "Should I ram him?" before striking the motorcyclist. Though the couple have since divorced, the testimony was not allowed, Kennedy said, because of a marital communication privilege.
The defense contended that Hollaway was not referring to the motorcyclist, but to another driver, when he asked his wife the question.
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