NORTHAMPTON — A teenager who prosecutors say was under the influence of drugs when he crashed into another vehicle, killing the other driver, last May in South Hadley will remain free before trial.
Ryan D. Brunelle, 18, of South Hadley, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Hampshire Superior Court to motor vehicle homicide.
Brunelle was driving on the evening of May 22 when his car allegedly crossed the center line on College Street and struck the vehicle of 29-year-old Thomas Flanagan, of Westfield.
First Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Steven Gagne, speaking by phone Tuesday, said a blood sample, taken while Brunelle was hospitalized and obtained by investigators via a search warrant, revealed traces of marijuana and residual amounts of oxycodone.
The Hampshire Superior Court indictment charging Brunelle, which was handed up Dec. 7, stated the teen was also under the influence of “stimulant substances.”
Judge Mark Mason accepted an agreement Tuesday presented by Brunelle’s defense attorney, David Hoose, and Gagne in which Brunelle would remain free on special conditions, including that he abstain from alcohol and non-prescription drug use. Brunelle’s license has also been suspended.
On the evening of Flanagan’s death, Brunelle was driving north on College Street, en route from his South Hadley home to meet his family for dinner, Gagne said. That’s when, according to Brunelle’s account to authorities, Brunelle may have fallen asleep at the wheel. Flanagan was pronounced dead later at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, police said. Brunelle, too, was taken to Baystate that evening, but with non-life-threatening injuries. There were no passengers in either car.
Flanagan’s family previously told the Gazette at the time of his death that Flanagan operated his own photo booth rental company, Take Two Photo Booths, with the idea in mind of being able to work from home more often. He spent days with his son and daughter, ages 3 and 2, and his evenings delivering pizzas for extra income. Flanagan was delivering pizzas at the time of the crash.
Brunelle is expected back in court May 25.
“These cases are the most difficult, in the sense there’s really no good outcome,” Gagne said.
Outside of court Tuesday, Hoose echoed that sentiment and said Brunelle was having a difficult time emotionally grappling with the incident.
Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com.