Brockton man faces manslaughter charges

BROCKTON, Mass. (WHDH) -- Bloodied and bruised, Claudio Depina of Brockton was arraigned Friday, charged with drunk driving and motor vehicle manslaughter.

“It sounded like a plane coming flying and there was a big crash,” said Terrence Mullins, a witness to the accident.

Police said the 29-year-old man veered off of Plain Street in Brockton Thursday night and slammed into a tree, killing the 28-year-old female passenger.

“The woman was breathing but she never regained consciousness while we were there,” said Mullins.

Another passenger was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. The mother of the 30-year-old Brockton man was devastated to learn about her son.

“It’s very sad, very sad. I feel so bad about it,” said the victim’s mother, Martina Barros. “He’s got a broken shoulder, ribs and I think he’s bleeding inside, interior, so I don’t know.”

“The car was actually on its side wrapped around the tree. The driver was…everyone in the car was unconscious when we got there,” said Mullins.

Police said Depina assaulted a police officer while resisting arrest, but later confessed to drinking and driving.

“Consumed half a pint of liquor by himself and then proceeded to share another 1.5 pints of liquor with somebody else,” said prosecutor, David Belger.

The prosecutor also said Depina was driving with a suspended license.