Traffic & Transit

Arrest Made In Fatal Bridgeport Hit-And-Run Crash: Police

AJ De Jesus died a few days after he and another teen were struck by a pickup truck while they were riding a scooter on Kossuth Street.

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Juan Gabriel Garcia was arrested by Bridgeport police on a warrant charging him in connection with a fatal crash in Bridgeport last June.
Juan Gabriel Garcia was arrested by Bridgeport police on a warrant charging him in connection with a fatal crash in Bridgeport last June. (Bridgeport Police Department)

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A 25-year-old Bridgeport man was arrested on a warrant by Bridgeport police on Friday in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash last June on Kossuth Street.

Juan Gabriel Garcia was charged with the following:

  • Evading Responsibility with Death
  • Evading Responsibility with Physical Injury
  • Tampering with Evidence
  • Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under Suspension
  • Illegal Operation of a Motor Vehicle without Minimum Insurance
  • Operate/Parks Unregistered Motor Vehicle
  • Failure to Obey Stop Sign
On June 15, 2022, police said Garcia was driving a pickup truck when he struck a scooter being ridden by AJ De Jesus, 18, and a then 17-year-old. The two teens were seriously injured, and De Jesus died from his injuries a few days after the crash.

Police said Garcia originally fled the scene, but later turned himself in at Bridgeport Police Headquarters. Authorities obtained a warrant for Garcia's arrest, and took him into custody on Friday.

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Bond and court appearance information were not immediately available.

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