Somers teen charged in Stafford motorcycle crash that killed 2

Matthew Knox, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·2 min read

Feb. 15—A Somers man has been charged in connection with an accident in Stafford last June that caused the death of a Windsor Locks couple riding their motorcycle.

According to a state police affidavit, troopers didn't find any evidence that Kevin Huss, 18, was driving under the influence or using a cellphone at the time of the crash.

But several witnesses reported that Huss' vehicle had crossed into the opposite lane at the time of the accident, and one reported Huss saying he feel asleep at the wheel.

Huss is charged with two counts of negligent homicide with a motor vehicle and one count of failure to drive in the right lane in connection with the accident on June 10 on Route 190 in Stafford.

The accident caused the deaths of Frederick Zorick, 63, who was operating the motorcycle, and his wife, Debra Zorick, 61, who was a passenger on the bike.

The affidavit supporting Huss' arrest provides the following additional details:

Troopers investigating the accident spoke with several witnesses, including a couple riding on a motorcycle directly behind the Zoricks. The man operating the motorcycle said they were one or two utility pole lengths behind their friends when he saw an SUV coming from the opposite direction move sharply into their lane and crash into the Zoricks, sending debris flying through the air.

He said the SUV started to return to its lane after the crash and clipped his motorcycle's left mirror.

Another man driving behind the two motorcycles reported that Huss' vehicle had crossed completely into the opposite lane before the accident. Afterward, he checked on the Zoricks, and saw Huss exiting his vehicle. He asked what happened, and Huss replied, "I feel asleep at the wheel," the man reported.

Another witness, who was driving behind Huss, said she backed away at one point because his vehicle crossed the centerline a couple times. Then, just before the intersection with Fenton Road, Huss crossed the yellow line again and drove in it for about 50 feet, until it crashed head-on with a motorcycle, she said.

State police found no signs that Huss was intoxicated at the scene, and no evidence of intoxicating beverages or narcotics in his vehicle. There was also no evidence found on his cellphone that he was using it at the time of the crash.

For breaking news and happenings in North Central Connecticut, follow Matthew Knox on Twitter: @MatthewPKnoxJI, and Facebook: Matthew P. Knox JI.