BOOTHBAY, Maine — A 22-year-old Connecticut man who appeared in court late last month to answer charges that he furnished alcohol to two Boothbay-area teens killed in a 2014 crash was found dead at his home on Feb. 1.
William Gerardi of Hebron, Connecticut, died in his sleep on Feb. 1, according to an obituary published in the Hartford Courant. The cause of death remains under investigation, according to the Connecticut State Police.
On Jan. 25, Gerardi appeared in Lincoln County Superior Court to face charges that he furnished liquor to Casey Dalton, 19, of Boothbay and Keegan Spear, 17, of Boothbay Harbor, the night they were killed.
Investigators from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said Dalton was driving a Ford Explorer on Route 27 the night of July 30, 2014, when he lost control, crossed the southbound lane and struck several trees, killing himself and Spear.
Gerardi was arrested that day and charged with felony furnishing liquor to a minor after investigators said that he provided liquor to both teens while at a home on Merry Lane in Boothbay. Gerardi was working in the area for the summer.
On Jan. 25, Gerardi pleaded no contest to furnishing liquor to a minor and pleaded guilty to two bail violation charges, Lincoln County District Attorney Geoffrey Rushlau said by email Wednesday. Gerardi received a deferred disposition, and sentencing was set to occur in 18 months.
“His attorney had a letter from William’s father describing all the counseling and other work William had done in the last year plus, and William seemed to have a positive future,” Rushlau wrote. “We were all shocked and saddened to learn of his death.”