Shelton police said they plan to charge Bruce Knapik with second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle in connection to the death of Shelton police officer Sgt. Orville Smith last month.
Police said Knapik was driving drunk on the night of July 3, when he allegedly struck Smith, who was working a private job directing traffic on Leavenworth Road near Indian Wells Road.
Knapik, 63, of Bridgeport, made his first court appearance at Superior Court in Derby Friday for his initial charge of driving under the influence.
The case against Knapik, was continued until Sept. 9, at which time police expect to file the more serious charges against him.
Initially it didn’t appear that Smith’s injuries were life-threatening, but three days later he died of complications from his internal injuries, police said.
Smith’s death will lead to additional charges against Knapik, a Shelton detective said.
“The traffic division is currently working on that,” Det. Ben Trabka said. “They’re in the process of finalizing their reports and expect to draft an arrest warrant by the end of the month.”
Knapik will likely be charged with second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, Trabka said.
Knapik made a brief court appearance with his son by his side, but did not enter a plea on the drunk driving charges.
Afterward he quickly left the Elizabeth Street courthouse while his attorney addressed reporters waiting outside. Click play on the video above to see some of his comments.
“This is certainly a tragic situation,” Knapik’s attorney, Edward Gavin, said.
Because police are still investigating, the case was continued to next month, Gavin said, at which time he anticipates the additional charges will be lodged against Knapik.
“We have indicated we have no objections if the charges are amended so they can go right ahead and do that,” he said.
He understands the outpouring of grief after Smith’s death, Gavin said.
“These cases are always very, very difficult when there is a fatality,” he said. “Sgt. Smith was a beloved individual — I live in Shelton and we all knew him.”
But Kaplik is not a monster, he said.
“Mr. Kaplik is somebody with an absence of any criminal history,” Gavin said. “He has never done anything wrong in his life.”
Kaplik and his wife are both retired, Gavin said.
“This is an isolated incident,” Gavin said. “He’s not a frequent flier in the courthouse. He’s not someone who is here because he’s not a troublemaker — he’s a retired gentleman and his wife is a retired school teacher, and that’s why I say it’s really a very difficult situation for everyone.”
Smith was a member of Shelton Police Department for 39 years and also was a volunteer member of White Hill Fire Co. No. 5, and served in Vietnam in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Thousands attended his wake and funeral, held at Shelton High School in order to accommodate the crowd.