A judge on Thursday granted a pre-trial probation program to former WWE CEO Vince McMahon, which will allow the charges in his reckless driving case to be dropped in one year.
When McMahon arrived at Stamford Superior Court, he was met by a group of fans, waiting out front, in hopes of getting a picture of autograph. McMahon paused by them briefly before walking in surrounded by his security team.
The hearing came several weeks after McMahon applied for a program called accelerated rehabilitation in connection with a
three-car crash on the Merritt Parkway in Westport. According to the police report, on July 24, McMahon drove his Bentley into the back of a BMW, then the center median, with debris from the collision causing another vehicle to crash. No one was hurt, but McMahon was charged with reckless driving and following too closely. It happened just hours before
Hulk Hogan's death became public.
"It's alleged he was swerving in and out of traffic, going in excess of 90 mph," Deputy Assistant State's Attorney Eileen Ornousky said in court.
McMahon's attorney, Mark Sherman, told the judge that McMahon was fully insured, sent two apology notes to the other drivers through counsel and understands the seriousness of the case.
"He qualifies for the program and assures the court that this won't happen again," Sherman stated.
The prosecution didn't object to AR, which allows first-time offenders charged with certain crimes to avoid a conviction. Judge Gary White agreed to it, so McMahon will have the case dropped in one year as long as he stays out of trouble and complies with all the program's conditions. He also has to make a $1,000 charitable donation.
"Not every car accident is a crime," Sherman told News 12 outside the courthouse. "The judge recognized that, you know, there's a path for dismissal, and that's what happened here. This was an accident."
As McMahon left, he didn't have a comment for reporters, but he did stop for a few pictures and autographs with fans.
This case isn't the end of McMahon's legal troubles. A former WWE employee filed an
explicit lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and trafficking.