The Connecticut man charged with killing three people in a Labor Day 2024 boat crash was offered a plea deal on Tuesday.
Clayton Hackling, a 27-year-old Lyme man, would receive a 30-year sentence, suspended after 15 years behind bars, if he pleads guilty in the case, the Hartford Courant reported. He would then be on probation for five years.
Hackling and his attorneys said Tuesday they wanted more time to review evidence in the case, according to Hartford NBC affiliate WVIT. His next court date was set for March 23.
Christopher Hallahan, 34; Ian Duchemin, 25, and Ryan D. Britagna, 24, were killed in the Sept. 2, 2024, crash at the mouth of the Connecticut River in Old Saybrook.
Hackling has been charged with three counts of second-degree manslaughter in their deaths.
Authorities said Hackling was drunkenly operating a 31-foot vessel when it struck the east break wall in Long Island Sound. Nine people were on the boat, and six were rescued.
In addition to the manslaughter charges, Hackling faces three counts each of first-degree reckless operation of a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs and second-degree reckless operation of a vessel. He has not yet entered a plea in the case.
