Guilty Plea Entered In Hit-And-Run Death Of Vernon Soccer Coach

VERNON, CT — A Somers resident pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges connected to his involvement in a hit-and-run death of a popular youth soccer coach walking his dog in Vernon nearly a year ago, according to Tolland State's Attorney Matthew C. Gedansky.

Philip Holmes, 42, pleaded guilty to charges of misconduct with a motor vehicle and evading responsibility in connection with the death of Andrew Aggarwala, 44, of Vernon. On Nov. 24, 2020, Aggarwala was walking his dog on Phoenix Street when he was struck by a vehicle in the middle of the afternoon. The driver fled the scene of the crash, and despite lifesaving measures performed by first responders, Aggarwala was pronounced dead at the scene. Gedansky said.

According to court documents, Vernon police investigators recovered small pieces of the fleeing vehicle that struck Aggarwala, and through research, including visiting area car dealerships, were able to match the small pieces of evidence left at the scene to a Hyundai Sonata, in the model years 2009 to 2014, Gedansky said.

Holmes was stopped at an investigative checkpoint near the crash scene on Nov. 25, 2020 driving a silver, 2011 Hyundai Sonata. There was fresh damage to the vehicle that matched the small pieces of evidence, including a broken headlight, a cracked windshield, and a reddish/brownish streak across the hood. There was also drug paraphernalia found in the vehicle, Gedansky said.

Holmes initially told investigators his vehicle was damaged at his place of employment, but later said he was struggling with a heroin addiction, and that he thought he hit a mailbox the previous day. He gave no explanation for why he did not stop and fled the scene, Gedansky said.

Holmes will be sentenced Jan. 14, 2022 before Judge Kathleen E. McNamara in Rockville Superior Court. His plea agreement with the state of Connecticut is for a sentence of between four and 10 years, with five years of probation to follow, Gedansky said.