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Southington man arrested for crash that killed 2 children in Bristol

BRISTOL – Police arrested a Southington man for a crash that killed two girls and seriously injured four adults in Bristol last year. Michael S. Luponio, ...

BRISTOL - Police arrested a Southington man for a crash that killed two girls and seriously injured four adults in Bristol last year.

Michael S. Luponio, 26, was charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, three counts of second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, OUI, reckless driving and having no insurance.

On Sunday, December 13, 2015 just after 12:30 a.m. police were called to a two-vehicle fatality on Middle Street in the area of Pinebrook Terrace. Two children were killed in the collision and four adults were seriously injured. The children killed were Veronica Martinez, 7 and Yvette Martinez, 4 of Meriden.

Police said Michael Luponio, was driving north on Middle Street and crossed over the centerline striking a second vehicle heading south. The driver of the second vehicle and mother of the children killed was Kayla Torres, 31, of Meriden.

Police said Luponio was legally intoxicated, driving at an excessive speed, and did not have motor vehicle insurance. At the time of the crash, his blood alcohol level was .24.

"I'm very glad that he finally got caught and he's going to get justice for what he did. He shouldn't have been behind the wheel," said Carmen Dubowsky-Melendez, Kayla Torres' mother and the girls' grandmother.

Family members say they have been waiting for an arrest and hoping this day would come. But they are still very upset about the crash and miss the girls terribly.

Dubowsky-Melendez said, "It's just a tragic accident that I will never forget. It will be with me for the rest of my life."

Kayla Torres is still healing from the crash. She released a statement through her family members:

"It brings some sort of relief, but it will never bring my babies back. I wish I could go back in time, but knowing that justice has been served brings some sort of peace. I'm not ready to go on camera. This has been a nightmare, but I waited for this day for a very long time. I just want justice for my girls."

Luponio was held on a $500,000 surety bond and will be arraigned in Bristol Superior Court on Thursday.

Right after the crash, the community rallied around the family, including holding a candlelight vigil for the girls.

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