Man gets 13 months in prison for fatal head-on crash in North Stonington that killed father of 3
A man has been sentenced to more than a year in prison after being convicted of causing a fatal head-on crash in North Stonington in 2021.
James Pont, 63, of Ashaway, Rhode Island faced sentencing on Wednesday in New London Superior Court where a judge handed down three years in prison, suspended after service of 13 months, and three years of probation, according to the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.
The sentencing came after a jury on Feb 26 found him guilty on one count of negligent homicide with a motor vehicle.
According to DCJ officials, evidence at trial showed that Pont was driving on Pendleton Hill Road on Jan. 18, 2021, at 3:26 p.m. when he crossed the yellow center lines and collided head-on with a vehicle driven by 39-year-old Ryan Poland of North Providence, Rhode Island. Poland's 2006 Honda Civic was headed north, and a 1995 GMC Safari driven by Pont was traveling south when the two vehicles collided, according to Courant reporting. The collision occurred near the on-ramp to I-95 at Exit 92.
Poland was taken to Westerly Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Pont was seriously injured and was taken to Rhode Island Hospital.
Pont was arrested after an investigation by the Connecticut State Police Collision, Analysis and Reconstruction Squad and the Troop E barracks.
'The New London State's Attorney's Office would like to thank C.A.R.S. and Connecticut State Police Troop E for their work in this case,' the DCJ wrote in a statement. 'The New London State's Attorney's Office hopes that this disposition brings some comfort to the family of Mr. Poland.'
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State's Attorney Alexandra N. Aksterowicz, with assistance from Inspector Matthew T. Suplee.
According to an obituary, Poland left behind three children. He was raised in Barrington, Rhode Island and had a deep love for fishing and a passion for cooking, music and gardening. He was also a songwriter and a musician, the obituary said.
Poland was employed by Jesmac Builders for 18 years, according to the obituary.
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