Crime & Safety
Charges Upgraded Against Greenwich Man Accused In Double-Fatal Crash: Report
Michael Talbot, 24, of Greenwich, was arrested in January and charged in connection with a hit-and-run that killed two Stamford residents.
STAMFORD, CT — Charges have been upgraded against Michael Talbot, the 24-year-old Greenwich man accused in the double-fatal hit-and-run crash that killed two Stamford residents, according to the Stamford Advocate.
Talbot appeared in Stamford Superior Court on Tuesday.
Assistant State's Attorney Elizabeth Moran formally upgraded the charges from two counts of second-degree manslaughter to two counts of first-degree manslaughter, the Advocate reported, noting that first-degree manslaughter is a class B felony which carries up to 20 years in prison.
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A second-degree manslaughter conviction carries a sentence of up to 10 years.
On Dec. 3, 2022, 25-year-old residents Giovani Vega Benis and Yuliana Arias Lozano finished working at Cantina Mexicana on Summer Street and went to Curley's Diner together in downtown Stamford to grab a late-night bite to eat, police said.
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Shortly after at around 2:05 a.m., the two were walking each other home and crossing Washington Boulevard at Main Street when they were struck by a 2022 Mercedes Benz driven by Talbot, police said.
Citing his arrest warrant, the Advocate said Talbot told police he was out drinking with friends before the crash. He was driving 86 mph in a 25-mph zone, and did not apply the brakes at any time.
Talbot fled the area on foot, but he was apprehended a short time later after officers found him hiding on Relay Place, police said.
On Jan. 5, Talbot was arrested with the help of the Collier County Sheriff's Office in Florid on an arrest warrant that charged him with two counts of second-degree manslaughter; two counts of second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle; felony evading responsibility; operating under the influence; and reckless operation, police said.
According to the state of Connecticut Judicial Branch website, Talbot has previous convictions related to reckless driving and evading responsibility.
Talbot's next scheduled court date is June 20.
Read more from the Stamford Advocate
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