Woman Dies From Injuries Weeks After Crash, Man Charged: Stamford PD

STAMFORD, CT — Charges have been upgraded against a Stamford man in connection with the death of a 79-year-old woman who was hit by a car early last month, according to the Stamford Police Department.

While appearing in court Wednesday for a misdemeanor summons, Tyler Zinko, 25, was charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, police said.

The charges stem from a crash that occurred in Stamford on March 4 at approximately 6:30 p.m., at the intersection of Prospect Street at Forest Street, police said.

Mary Botan, a Stamford resident, suffered a serious head injury when she was hit by a Toyota Prius driven by Zinko, police said, noting that Botan was in a crosswalk at the time.

Botan was taken to Stamford Hospital where she was initially listed in critical, but stable condition, police said.

Zinko remained at the scene and spoke with investigators, police said, and he was issued a misdemeanor summons for striking a vulnerable user and causing serious physical injury. He was released from the scene on a written promise to appear in court.

On March 30, investigators were notified by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner that Botan had died from her injuries.

The Stamford State’s Attorney’s Office was also notified of Botan’s death, police said, and when Zinko appeared in court Wednesday, the charges against him were upgraded.

Zinko is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on June 21.