New Haven police officer accused of Las Vegas DUI crash that killed fellow officer posted bail but remains in custody
New Haven Police Officer Robert Ferraro, who investigators say is responsible for a high-speed, rollover crash in Las Vegas that killed a fellow officer, has posted bail but remained in lockup Monday awaiting word on whether he qualifies for house arrest — as friends and family mourned the loss of Officer Joshua Castellano, calling his life “remarkable.”
“Joshua’s life was a gift, and we are grateful that he could share part of it with his colleagues at the New Haven Police Department and with the countless community members he encountered while proudly serving on the police force,” a written statement from loved ones said. “Joshua approached his life and work with unmatched passion and excitement, and his genuine love for people was infectious.”
Ferraro, 34, is scheduled to be in Las Vegas Justice Court Tuesday morning for a hearing on the criminal charges he faces, a court clerk said.
Ferraro posted $100,000 bail after a Saturday bond hearing but remained in jail waiting for approval to be fitted with an electronic monitor. In the meantime, he was in custody at the Clark County Detention Center, said Leonardo San Martin, a jail support technician.
The process of qualifying for ankle bracelets and house arrest can take 7 to 10 days, he said.
He was arrested Friday and charged with reckless driving and driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or controlled or prohibited substance, resulting in death, police said.
New Haven Police Chief Renee Dominguez placed Ferraro on administrative leave, and an internal investigation has begun, said Officer Scott Shumway, the department’s public information officer. He said New Haven police will not comment on the case during the internal investigation.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving released a statement late Monday afternoon.
“MADD is heartbroken over the death of New Haven officer Joshua Castellano,” MADD National President Alex Otte said. “Our thoughts are with Officer Castellano’s family, friends and colleagues at the New Haven Police Department as they mourn this tremendous loss, made all the more tragic by allegations that the crash was caused by a fellow officer who chose to drive drunk.”
“Drunk driving is the leading cause of deaths and injuries on America’s roads,” Otte said. “Yet, it is 100% preventable, 100% of the time. With all the options available, there’s never any excuse to drive while impaired by alcohol or any other drugs.”
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, shortly before 4 a.m. Friday, Ferraro was driving a 2020 Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV with three other officers and two Texas women “at a high rate of speed” when he lost control near the intersection of West Spring Mountain Road and South Decatur Boulevard. He struck a Ford Mustang that was in a private driveway, its driver waiting to pull out onto the street.
The luxury SUV overturned, throwing Castellano, who had been in the right front passenger seat, out of the vehicle. The SUV landed on its wheels as debris damaged a nearby parked car, police said.
Castellano, who had been on the New Haven police force seven years, was taken to the hospital, where he died. Everyone else in the SUV, including New Haven officers Matthew Borges and John Truhart, had minor injuries, police said.
The injuries of the driver of the Ford Mustang also were minor, police said.
Christine Dempsey may be reached at cdempsey@courant.com.
