Teen Admits Stealing SUV Which Fatally Struck Hartford Woman

HARTFORD, CT — A 15-year-old who admitted stealing a sport utility vehicle which fatally struck a woman on a Hartford sidewalk was arrested Tuesday in connection with the death.

The unidentified juvenile, a resident of Hartford, was charged with second-degree manslaughter, evading responsibility with death, third-degree larceny, reckless driving, second-degree criminal trover and operating a motor vehicle without a license. He is being held without bond at the Hartford Juvenile Detention Center.

On Jan. 24, police located an unoccupied Volvo SUV in the roadway south of 61 Edgewood Street. The vehicle had flat front and rear driver side tires and other damage consistent with having been involved in the crash. Additionally, a witness was interviewed who informed an officer that she observed the operator exit the vehicle and flee the scene, Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley said.

The at-scene crash investigation indicated that the vehicle was traveling southbound on Edgewood Street when it left the roadway and entered the front yard of 61 Edgewood Street. The victim, Miriam Garcia, 61, was on the sidewalk in front of the house when she was struck. The vehicle continued into the yard of 61 Edgewood, striking the front porch, then continued through the front yard, exiting into the street through the driveway. The vehicle's two driver side tires were flat and the operator abandoned the vehicle, fleeing on foot. Shortly after the incident, the Volvo SUV was reported stolen by its owner, Foley said.

On a tip, a potential suspect was developed who was later interviewed, and admitted to stealing the Volvo SUV from Mansfield Street and to being the operator of the SUV when it struck and killed Garcia, Foley said.

Photo credit: Hartford Police Department