A Connecticut man facing OUI and manslaughter charges in connection with a boat crash in Old Saybrook that left three people dead on Labor Day in 2024 must soon decide if he wants to take a plea deal that would send him to prison for 15 years.
Clayton Hackling, 27, of Lyme appeared Tuesday in New London Superior Court where a judge told him he needs to have his final discussions with his lawyer about how they wish to resolve the case.
Hackling, who is free on a $350,000 bond, has been offered a plea deal that would include a 30-year sentence, suspended after service of 15 years in prison, and five years of probation. He was granted a continuance until March 23 to discuss the deal with his attorney, who told the court he is still reviewing evidence in the case.
CT boat operator charged with manslaughter, OUI in Labor Day crash that killed three passengers
Hackling has been charged in connection with a fatal boat crash at the mouth of the Connecticut River in Old Saybrook on Sept 2, 2024, according to Environmental Conservation Police with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. DEEP officials allege that Hackling was operating a 31-foot open motor boat that was returning from Block Island shortly after 9 p.m. when it struck the east break wall in the Long Island Sound.
According to DEEP, nine people were on the boat, which was found significantly damaged and half submerged near the Harbor One Marina. Emergency responders rescued six people from the water.
A multi-day search led to officials recovering three victims who died following the crash. They were identified as 34-year-old Christopher Hallahan of Westbrook, 25-year-old Ian Duchemin of Oakdale and 24-year-old Ryan D. Britagna of Waterford, DEEP officials said.
EnCon police arrested Hackling in January 2025 following an investigation that alleges he was operating the boat. He faces three counts each of second-degree manslaughter with a vessel, first-degree reckless operation of a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs and second-degree reckless operation of a vessel and a single count each of operation of a vessel while under the influence of liquor or drugs, required and authorized lights and rules for preventing collisions.
Hackling has not entered a plea to the charges, court records show.