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By DAVID OWENS, dowens@courant.com The Hartford Courant
December 21, 2013, 9:07 a.m.
VERNON — A Middletown man faces up to five years in prison for an April 2012 boating accident that killed his friend.
Michael J. Antol, 42, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter with a vessel while under the influence of alcohol. State environmental conservation police initially charged Antol with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter with a vessel, operating under the influence and first-degree reckless operation in August 2012.
He pleaded guilty Friday in Superior Court in Rockville as part of a plea agreement. He agreed to a prison sentence of five years plus three years of special parole. His lawyer, Jake Donovan, will be able to argue for less prison time.
Police said Antol was drunk and operating his boat at a high speed in a no-wake zone on Mashapaug Pond at Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union when it ran aground and hit rocks and trees about 11 p.m. April 21, 2012.
His passenger, Richard J. Franas Jr., 40, was thrown from the boat into a tree, and landed in the water.
Franas was rescued by firefighters and divers and taken to Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford, then transferred to St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford. He died of his injuries on April 25. The cause of death was asphyxia by submersion, or drowning. Antol suffered minor injuries and was treated at Johnson Memorial.
The accident happened on the opening day of fishing season.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 15.
http://www.courant.com/news/connect...h-1221-20131220,0,2482155.story#ixzz2oG08Y5yt
