ID Released Of Woman Killed In Hit-And-Run, Suspect Car Found: SPD

STAMFORD, CT — A 74-year-old woman was struck and killed in a hit-and-run on the West Side of Stamford Tuesday morning, according to police. The suspect car was found and seized by police later in the day.

The woman has been identified as Marie Jean-Charles, of Stamford. News 12 Connecticut reported that Jean-Charles was a longtime cashier at ShopRite and was walking to work Tuesday morning when the collision occurred.

Police said Jean-Charles was walking south across West Main Street near the junction with Alvord lane at approximately 6:13 a.m., Tuesday when she was hit in the eastbound travel lanes by a red sedan that was believed to be traveling at a high rate of speed. The make and model of the car was not immediately known.

Jean-Charles was pronounced dead at the scene, and the car continued to drive eastbound on West Main Street, according to Sgt. Jeffrey Booth of the SPD's Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad (CARS).

The collision closed West Main Street between West Avenue and Myano Lane for several hours.

"This was a devastating crash, which caused heavy damage to the vehicle’s windshield and possibly deployed the airbag, along with causing horrendous injuries to the pedestrian," Booth said. "There is no way that the operator of the vehicle did not know that he or she had been involved in this vicious collision."

In the early afternoon hours, CARS investigators were given information from other police sources regarding a possible suspect car, Booth said in an update Tuesday night.

CARS investigators responded to the suspect address, which is not being released at this time, and found the suspect car, Booth said.

Investigators obtained a search warrant to seize the car, which was taken to SPD headquarters and secured, Booth noted. Police did not provide any information on a suspect.

"Stamford Police CARS would like to thank the many citizens of Stamford that called us and helped us identify what year, make, and model of the vehicle that we were looking for regarding this collision," Booth added. "That information helped us develop a suspect vehicle. As always, we appreciate any and all assistance from the community."

Booth said an investigation "remains open and active," and anyone who has further information should contact the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad at 203-977-4712.

This collision is being investigated by Booth and SPD officers Lindsey Yanicky and Cory Fisher.