Granby man charged in connection with July 1 fatal crash

The boyfriend of a Granby woman killed in an early morning July 1 collision in Granby is facing four criminal charges in connection with her death.

Katelyn Gress, 28, died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash that occurred at 1:15 a.m. July 1 near the intersection of Pleasant and Barton streets in Granby.

In Eastern Hampshire District Court Wednesday, the driver of the vehicle, Cory Menard, 30, of Granby, pleaded not guilty to the following charges: motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of alcohol and negligent operation; manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol; manslaughter; and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. 

Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Andrew Covington, representing the Commonwealth, explained in court that the first three charges are connected to the death of Gress, while the assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charge stems from injuries sustained by the operator of another car struck by the jeep being operated by Menard. Covington stated that before that crash, evidence gathered at the scene indicated that Menard lost control of his jeep, causing it to strike mailboxes and telephone poles before it rolled over several times and struck the other car. The driver of that car was taken by ambulance to Holyoke Medical Center for treatment of injuries.

Judge Bruce Melikian ordered Menard released on $2,000 bail under the conditions that he refrain from alcohol use, comply with a remote alcohol monitoring device, and not drive. Menard was represented in court by Attorney Joseph Bernard. Bernard said in court that his client’s license has already been suspended.

The case was continued to Oct. 26 for a pretrial conference.

Criminal charges are based on probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.