SOUTHINGTON, Conn. — Waterbury man was killed after Southington police said their car crashed into a utility pole early Thursday morning. First responders found a gunshot wound in the victim's back, and the incident is now being investigated as a homicide.
Another man from Meriden is now facing charges in connection with the incident.
The crash happened on Queen Street in front of the Noodles & Company eatery near West Queen Street just after midnight.
Police said the crash only involved one car that crashed into the pole. When first responders got to the scene, they found an occupant, identified as 28-year-old Jose Principe, inside unresponsive.
"His body was in the passenger seat following the crash," said Southington Police Lt. Keith Egan. "I don't know that he was in the passenger seat prior to the crash."
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The person was rushed to the hospital for his injuries where medical providers found that Principe had been shot in his back. Principe was later pronounced dead. Police at this time said it's not known if the gunshot wound is a contributing factor to the crash.
A second man, 43-year-old Victor Perez, was later arrested by officers in the area. Police allege was uncooperative on the scene, including providing a false name.
"During the incident to that arrest they discovered that Mr. Perez had a firearm on his person," Egan said.
Police said it's believed Perez had a connection to the fatal crash. Perez faces charges of criminal possession of a pistol and interfering with officers.
He's currently being held on a $750,000 bond, officials said.
"The medical examiner has ruled the cause of death as a homicide and the cause of the homicide was a result of a gunshot wound to the torso," Egan said.
Police remain uncertain whether Perez is responsible. Principe and Perez were said to have argued at a nearby Cumberland Farms before the crash.
"We are focusing primarily between the area of Cumberland Farms and south of Cumberland Farms going down to where the crash occurred," said Egan.
Folks working near the crash scene had a difficult time getting in the work as a section of Queen Street was shut down for many hours due to the investigation.
"The car was still there which was kind of awful to see the car just they hadn't even taken it away yet so I felt really bad and then I heard he got shot," said Ann Cormier of Dalene Flooring, located in the plaza where the crash occurred.
The judge reduced bond for Perez from $750,000 to $350,00 despite the fact that he has a lengthy criminal history in both New York and Connecticut.
Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact the Southington Police Department at (860) 621-0101.
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Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
Tony Terzi is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at tterzi@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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