Meriden Woman Charged In Critical Injury Hit-And-Run Crash: Police

MERIDEN, CT — A Meriden woman was charged in a hit-and-run accident that critically injured a woman in April, according to police. Paige Cassina, 32, was charged with tampering with physical evidence, first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and evading responsibility causing serious physical injury.

Police received several 911 calls around 11:15 p.m. on April 4 of a pedestrian struck in the 400 block of Bee Street in Meriden.

Arriving officers found a 26-year-old woman on the sidewalk of the northbound side of Bee Street with life-threatening injuries, according to police. The vehicle that struck the woman had left the scene, police said.

The victim was treated at the scene by Meriden Fire and Hunter’s Ambulance personnel before taking her to the Hospital of Central Connecticut, according to police. She was later taken to Hartford Hospital and listed in critical condition.

She is still recovering but has sustained serious disabling injuries, according to police.

Police said an initial investigation determined that the woman had stepped out into Bee Street to speak to a friend who was parked in front of her home. A vehicle heading north on Bee Street struck the side of the friend’s vehicle and the victim, according to police.

The car never stopped and continued heading north on Bee Street, according to police.
A piece of the passenger side wheel well was left behind by the evading vehicle, which police determined was a 2008-2015 Nissan Rogue.

A witness said the vehicle left in the direction of the Meadow Brook Drive area. Officers canvassed the area, viewed security footage from home security systems, and determined that the suspect vehicle had entered Meadow Brook Drive but never exited. Police found car parts from the suspect vehicle on Meadow Brook Drive.

Police said officers found a set of tire marks in the grass of a home on Meadow Brook Drive and could see the suspect vehicle behind the home from the street.

Officers found a blue 2012 Nissan Rogue with heavy front right damage that police said was consistent with the crash. The vehicle was impounded and the driver was identified as Cassina.

Cassina turned herself in to police on a warrant for her arrest Friday. She was released on $5,000 bond and scheduled to appear in court Nov. 17.