A judge set bond at $400,000 cash Friday for a man involved in a police pursuit and crash on Route 184 in Groton Thursday that led to the death of 22-year-old Deion Anthony Pittman of Waterford.

Valery Labossiere, 27, of Medford, Mass. was arraigned before New London Superior Court Judge Emmet L. Cosgrove on charges of first-degree larceny, sixth-degree larceny, reckless driving, disobeying the signal of an officer, engaging police in pursuit and driving without a license.

"The state is proceeding with a warrant to add some type of homicide charge," said prosecutor Sarah W. Bowman.

The crash occurred at 10:15 p.m.

State police said Labossiere was driving a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck stolen out of Vermont when a trooper parked in the center median of the Gold Star Bridge conducting traffic enforcement clocked his speed at 97 miles per hour as Labossiere drove north over the bridge. The trooper caught up with the truck and activated his lights and siren in an attempt to stop the truck, according to a police report. The trooper remained behind the truck, and said at one point it appeared it was stopping in the area of the left lane exit to Route 184. 

Labossiere then sped up and exited the highway, police said, and was traveling east on Route 184 when, at the intersection of Kings Highway, he drove through a red light and into the right side of a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The Mitsubishi, police said, had just exited the Walmart parking lot. It was traveling south on Kings Highway and had the right of way.

A trooper took Labossiere, the sole occupant, out of the driver's seat and handcuffed him without incident, according to the report. The trooper noticed a 22-caliber rifle on the floor of the truck and police determined later that it had been stolen on March 29 from the same Vermont residence as the pickup truck.

The troopers said Labossiere, who suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, was carrying an expired Haitian passport. His Massachusetts driver's license had been suspended. He was treated at The William W. Backus Hospital and returned to Troop E in Montville for processing.

Police identified Taylor Wilkinson, 20, of 210 Midway Oval, Groton, as the driver of the Mitsubishi. A Groton Ambulance crew took her to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

A Life Star helicopter responded to take her passenger, Pittman, of 47 Miner Ave., Waterford, to Hartford Hospital, where he later died. Pittman's family members did not attend Labossiere's arraignment Friday but spoke to a court official.

According to bail commissioner Timothy Gilman, Labossiere lives with his father in Medford. Gilman said Labossiere has no means of support, underlying mental health issues and a limited criminal record.

On March 16, a Massachusetts judge placed him on probation for a year for receiving stolen property, providing police with a false address and driving while his license is suspended, Gilman said. The case was continued for a year.

Attorney Jennifer L. Baldwin from the public defender's office said Labossiere's father, who works as a cab driver, was on his way to Connecticut Friday after learning of the incident.

On a state police booking form, Labossiere listed his nationality as "U.S." and his occupation as "elder care."

In setting the $400,000 cash bond, Judge Cosgrove cited the seriousness of the charges. He said the case would be considered for transfer to the court where major felonies are heard. He ordered a medical and mental health watch for Labossiere and continued the case to April 24.

State police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or the seconds leading up to it to contact Trooper Donald Comstock at (203) 630-8086 or at Donald.Comstock@ct.gov.

Day staff writer Lindsay Boyle contributed to this report.

k.florin@theday.com