Confession Outlines Scenario of Fatal Hit-and-Run Case

Details of a confession made by a hit-and-run driver involved in the fatal striking of an Enfield pedestrian more than 13 years ago were made public Thursday, following the official closure of the case by detectives.

The driver was identified as Daniel Corsini, a Windsor resident who lived in Suffield at the time of the incident on Nov. 17, 2002.

An extensive report detailing the entire investigation reveals that Corsini told police two weeks ago that he was the driver who struck Johnathen Stewart, 19, on Route 5 early that morning.

Stewart was discovered lying in the snow on the side of the road by a passerby around 6 a.m. that morning and was transported to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, where he died.

Police were able to ascertain that the vehicle was a red Jeep Cherokee, but were unable to determine who actually struck and killed Stewart.

Despite rewards offered at the time for information leading to the guilty party’s arrest and conviction, no arrest was ever made.

Under Connecticut law in effect at the time, the statute of limitations in the case expired in 2007. That law was changed in 2012 to contain no limit on motor vehicle incidents that involve fatalities, but cannot be applied retroactively, Police Chief Carl Sferrazza said.

Corsini admits in his confession he had been drinking at a Hartford bar that night, and after coming back to a house on Bridge Lane in Enfield, he left to head to his Suffield home when he “saw a blue image in the road” on Enfield Street near the Route 190 overpass.

He claimed he stopped for “30 seconds, maybe more,” until he longer saw the image and resumed driving. He then “saw this image again” and jammed on his brakes, but not in time to avoid hitting the person, the report says.

Corsini says he “was in shock” and that he “was scared and panicked.” He told police he and a friend disposed of the Jeep the next day.

Stewart’s family was provided with a copy of the investigative papers Wednesday night. His father, Brian, took to social media Thursday to thank the countless supporters who have stood by the family’s side.

“If you have never been in this situation, you don’t know this pain, but I can tell you that losing my son is tragic. But to lose him to an uncaring, self-centered, self-entitled coward who allowed me and my family to wake every morning to relive the fact that it wasn’t a dream; it’s torturous to one’s soul. Everyday thinking that John is gone, that John had suffered, that I couldn’t say good-bye, that I will never hear his voice again, that he will never have a chance to be a dad and know the blessing of the love a parent has for their children. That as his father, his parent, his ultimate protector and care giver, I could not save him.

Every day, I relive sitting by his side in the hospital, holding his hand, he was being kept alive by machines. I was praying for a miracle, but there was no miracle to be mine. As the doctors pushed for us to decide to let him go so they could harvest his organs and give the miracle I so desperately needed to someone else. John lives on through those organ donations, but if doesn’t take any of the pain away.

We want it to be known that the family and friends of Johnathen L. Stewart, in no way find the ideals of taking justice into your own hands acceptable. This is what the legal system is for. Please respect this and refrain from negative comments and/or unsubstantiated accusations.

We want to publicly thank everyone who has supported us during this very difficult time. Everything from being with us every year for the candle light vigils to keeping us in your prayers. It has provided us with strength and is heartfelt. Now we start a new chapter of this journey.”