Durham, Meriden Men Charged in July 2011 Fatal Crash Due Back in Court

Two men charged with manslaughter in the fatal crash that killed a 20-year-old Meriden man on July 24, 2011, are due back in court next week.

South Fire District firefigher Stephen Tyrseck of Durham and Jedidiah Roesler of Meriden, who have both entered not guilty pleas in Middletown Superior Court related to the death of Alexander Martinez of Meriden are due back in Middlesex Superior Court in Middletown on Oct. 25.

Martinez, 20, was a passenger in a car driven by Roesler which collided with a pick-up truck driven by Tyrseck at South Main Street and Highland Avenue in Middletown.

He was pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from the 2002 Honda Civic about 2:30 a.m., according to police. Tyrseck was traveling in a south on South Main approaching Highland Avenue.
 
Tyrseck has been on unpaid leave since January, according to David P. Gallitto, South Fire District Commision chair.

"The union contract allows for a firefighter to request an unpaid leave of absence for one year," Gallitto said. "Steve made this request of the commission and on Jan. 3, 2012, at which time it was granted. The leave includes no pay or benefits for the period of time requested. He is currently still on leave."

Roesler, the son of Meriden Public Library director Karen Roesler, is charged with second-degree manslaughter, misconduct with a motor vehicle, negligent homicide and reckless driving, DUI, traveling too fast for conditions, and improper turn. He is being represented by Attorney John R. Donovan, a former prosecutor for the state of Connecticut.

Tyrseck, represented by Rome McGuigan Attorneys, is charged with second-degree manslaughter, misconduct with a motor vehicle, negligent homicide and reckless driving, DUI, speeding more than 60 mph and failure to drive on the right.

In April 1998, Jed, then 9, was one of seven plaintiffs in a high-profile lawsuit involving Meriden city and school officials and districts across Connecticut who sued the state Department of Education, according to the Hartford Courant.

The suit was filed, according to the Courant, "on behalf of children who are alleged to have suffered academically because of skewed state funding. They are asking the state to reconfigure the formula by which districts receive state money."

The lawsuit eventually was dropped, according to the Boston Globe.

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