Man charged for backing over woman while drunk, not offering timely aid before her death

WOLCOTT, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) - A man was arrested and charged by police in Wolcott, Connecticut, in connection to the death of a 37-year-old woman.

James Sadlowski, 31, was drunk when he ran over Alexandra Standish in February, according to police.

Sadlowski was taken into custody on Thursday.

Wolcott police described what happened as an end to a tumultuous relationship between a boyfriend, a girlfriend and a friend.

Investigators said they were called about the death on Feb. 10 at around 3 a.m.

“The Wolcott police were contacted by the Bristol Police Department, who informed us that they were called to Bristol Hospital for an untimely death,” Wolcott Chief of Police Edward Stephens said. “Upon their arrival, it was learned that Standish was transported to the hospital by her boyfriend, Brandon Hamel, for serious internal and external injuries, which she later succumbed to.”

Hamel told Bristol police that Standish’s injuries were sustained at their house on Central Avenue in Wolcott.

Police went on to explain that Hamel was initially uncooperative when it came to sharing information about what happened to Standish.

Wolcott police detectives responded to the hospital to begin their investigation.

“Information was gained that Standish may have been run over by a vehicle while standing in her driveway on Central Avenue,” Stephens said. “Detectives proceeded to the residence and discovered evidence in the driveway that showed a possible crime scene. Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Unit was notified and responded to the scene for evidence processing.”

Detectives determined that on the night of Feb. 9 at around 11 p.m., Standish, Hamel and their friend Sadlowski were drinking alcohol at a restaurant until approximately 1 a.m. Hamel and Standish left together and traveled to their Central Avenue home with Sadlowski following in his pickup truck.

“Once at the residence, Sadlowski parked in the driveway and sat in his truck,” Stephens said. “Hamel parked their vehicle in the garage. Standish exited the vehicle and went to speak with Sadlowski in the driveway. A few minutes later, Sadlowski leaves, backing out of the driveway and runs over Standish, who was standing behind the truck at the time.”

Sadlowski stopped his truck and Hamel came out to the driveway, police said. At that point, Standish was severely injured and unconscious on the driveway.

Police noted that the incident was not premeditated. However, Stephens said there was a long delay before the two tried to help her.

“They never call 911,” Stephens said. “Hamel and Sadlowski lifted Standish and put her in Hamel’s vehicle. Sadlowski leaves the scene and drives to Meriden, where he was staying in a motel. Hamel then transports Standish to Bristol Hospital.”

The incident was captured on a Ring video camera from Standish’s home.

“The two of them stood there. They thought at first she was just faking it and she’s making noises,” Stephens said. “They thought she was fine. They just stood around and they finally realized this was something bad. Instead of calling 911, like they should have, they just threw her in the car.”

Once at the hospital, surveillance video showed that Hamel was in no rush to get Standish care.

Police said the video also showed that Hamel was uncooperative with staff and blocked them from getting to Standish, who was slumped over in the front passenger seat.

Emergency care was provided, but Standish died from her injuries.

Arrest warrants were granted on April 10.

Sadlowski was charged with second-degree manslaughter, intentional cruelty to persons, failure to renew motor vehicle registration, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under suspension of an operator’s license, illegal operation of a motor vehicle with no insurance and evading responsibility that caused a death.

He was located by Wolcott detectives at the motel in Meriden. They said he was arrested without incident and his bond was set at $250,000.

Hamel has been recovering from serious injuries he suffered in a motorcycle crash a couple weeks after Standish’s death. Once discharged, officers said he will be arrested and charged with interfering with a police investigation and intentional cruelty to a person.

His court-set bond was $100,000.