Man Charged In Fatal Hit-And-Run: Middletown Police

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A Middletown man has been charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that killed Brooke Rich earlier this month. Rich, 41, of Middletown, was crossing the street when she was struck and killed by a vehicle that fled the scene on March 4.

Jerod Wilson, 34, of Middletown, was arrested on a warrant Tuesday and faces several charges, including manslaughter. He is accused of driving the vehicle that struck and killed Rich on Washington Street at the intersection of High Street.

Witnesses told police that Rich was crossing Washington within the crosswalk and had the right-of-way as the crosswalk signal for pedestrians was illuminated, according to Lt. Heather Desmond. Wilson’s vehicle was traveling westbound on Washington Street at a “high rate of speed” and did not stop for the red light at the intersection of High Street, Desmond said.

“Wilson struck Rich and continued driving west on Washington Street,” Desmond said. “The vehicle Wilson was driving was located by Middletown detectives later that night at Wilson’s residence. No one came to the door when officers knocked several times attempting to speak with the driver/Wilson.

“The following day, officers spoke to Wilson and the registered owner of the vehicle when they inquired about the vehicle being towed. Initially, Wilson stated to officers that he was not driving the vehicle that struck Rich the previous evening.”

Through search warrants for electronic data, Middletown detectives and officers in the traffic unit were able to track Wilson and the vehicle that struck Rich, according to Desmond.

“Video showed Wilson in operating the vehicle that struck Rich several minutes before the collision occurred,” Desmond said.

Police obtained an arrest warrant for Wilson, which was served once he was located Tuesday morning, according to Desmond.

Wilson, of Schaefer Road, was charged with first-degree manslaughter, misconduct with a motor vehicle, evading responsibility- fatal motor vehicle accident, speeding, failure to obey traffic control signal, interfering with an officer, operating motor vehicle without a license and cell phone while operating. He is being held on a $500,000 bond with a court date of April 1.

See also: Support Pours In For Family Of Middletown Mom Killed In Hit & Run