Jury Reaches Verdict In 2020 West Hartford Hit-And-Run Fatality

HARTFORD/WEST HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford woman was found guilty this week in connection with a fatal hit-and-run accident in West Hartford back in 2020, state officials said.

Sharon Esson, 56, of Hartford, was found guilty by a jury Wednesday of evading responsibility, resulting in the death of a person, according to Sharmese L. Walcott, Hartford State’s Attorney.

She was convicted of hitting and killing a young McDonald's employee who was skateboarding home on Route 44 after finishing work.

According to evidence introduced at the trial, on April 10, 2020, West Hartford Police 911 dispatch was contacted by a jogger who notified dispatchers he had found a man on the side of the road who appeared to be deceased.

When police arrived, they found the body of Isaac Alvarez, 19, as well as debris from an apparent crash, according to authorities.

Police recovered debris at the scene and reviewed street camera footage, evidence that connected Esson to the crash, Walcott said.

When questioned by police, Esson stated she was driving home from work at night when she struck an object, Walcott said.

According to Walcott, during the Hartford Superior Court trial before Judge Frank M. D'Addabbo Jr., evidence was presented showing Esson knew she hit something.

Despite this, she failed to verify what the object was that she had hit and, therefore, failed to provide assistance to the victim, Walcott said.

Instead, she continued to drive home.

The victim had been skateboarding to his home after finishing work at a nearby McDonald’s when he was fatally struck by Esson’s vehicle, according to authorities.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 28.

For the full State of Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice announcement, click on this link

From July 7, 2020: 'West Hartford Police Update Fatal Hit-And-Run Case'