FIRST ON 3: Driver charged with DWI and killing woman in wreck had similar accident in ’09

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Richard J. Constantineau Jr. has a long history of car wrecks. In May, Highway Patrol Investigators say he crossed the center line of Highway 211 in Brunswick County and hit 23-year-old Stephanie Heath head-on. The impact killed her instantly. Constantineau is charged with felony death by vehicle and DWI. We know he wasn’t drinking alcohol at the time of the wreck, but the Assistant District Attorney will not release what drug(s) were in his system.

Now, another driver has contacted us, saying he was in a similar wreck with Constantineau last year. A police accident report shows Michael Escalera was driving from Park Avenue in Wilmington towards Wrightsville Ave. last August when Constantineau crossed the center line and swiped him.

The report goes on to say, “DRIVER OF VEHICLE 1 (CONSTANTINEAU) STATED THAT BOTH VEHICLES WERE CLOSE TO THE CENTERLINE AND AS THEY PASSED EACH OTHER, THERE MIRRORS COLLIDED. DRIVER OF VEHICLE 2 (ESCALARA) STATED THAT VEHICLE 1 WAS ABOUT FOUR FEET OVER THE CENTERLINE HEADING TOWARDS HIM, IN ORDER TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION HE SWERVED AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND HAD BROKEN GLASS ALL OVER HIM. HE STOPPED AND NOTICED HIS MIRROR WAS BROKEN. THE WITNESS WAS TRAVELING BEHIND VEHICLE 1 AND CONFIRM THE DRIVER CROSSED THE CENTERLINE AND CAUSED THE CRASH.”

Constantineau has an extensive record of reckless driving. He has been charged five times. His offenses also include a hit and run and failure to reduce speed. Constantineau has also been charged with fraudulently attempting to obtain a controlled substance, but all of those charges were dismissed.

Hailey is following this story today, and will have more later this afternoon here and on WWAY NewsChannel 3 at 500p.

For more background on this story, go to: http:wway.wcbi.com/node/23070