Bruce Knapik, the man accused of striking and killing a Shelton police officer, was charged Thursday with second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle in the case.
Knapik was already facing a charge of driving while under the influence for the incident, which took place on July 3 as Shelton officer Orville Smith directed traffic on Route 110.
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.
The additional charge was filed at Knapik’s brief court appearance at Superior Court in Derby Thursday.
Knapik’s attorney, Edward Gavin, issued not guilty pleas for both charges during the short hearing.
After the appearance, Gavin said it’s too early to tell if the case will go to trial.
“I haven’t seen any of the investigation yet,” Gavin said. “It’s the very, very opening stages of this case.”
Knapik remains free on $500 bond, and is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 14.
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.
“He’s terribly upset and fearful for what’s going to happen to him,” Gavin said about Knapik’s state of mind. “His heart goes out to the Smith family. It’s a tragedy.”
