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    Tuesday, October 08, 2024

    Man charged in Groton dirt bike death pleads not guilty

    A Mashantucket man charged with manslaughter in the death of his dirt bike passenger in Groton entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment Thursday in New London Superior Court.

    Scott Whipple, 25, of 38 Coachman Pike, is charged in connection with the Aug. 28 death of 24-year-old Tiara Wheeler of Norwich. Wheeler was riding on Whipple’s dirt bike when it crashed into a car on Long Hill Road in Groton. Whipple and Wheeler were among a group of people riding dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles illegally on the road that night, police said.

    Whipple faces charges of second-degree manslaughter, first-degree reckless endangerment and reckless driving among other charges. He is free after posting a $200,000 bond and is barred from operating any vehicles and restricted from any contact with family of the victim, court records show. Records show Whipple is also being monitored by GPS and only allowed to travel outside his home for medical, legal and religious purposes.

    Whipple, represented by the New London-based Strafaci Law Firm, is due back in court on Dec. 13.

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