Police in Newington say they’ve tracked down and arrested a Middletown woman accused of a September hit-and-run that left a 70-year-old pedestrian seriously injured on Hartford Avenue.
After weeks of digging, using license plate reader tech and evidence from the scene, officers charged the suspected driver. They’re calling the arrest a big step toward justice for the victim and the community.
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Newington Pedestrian Seriously Injured in Hartford Avenue Hit-and-Run
The crash happened just after 7:15 p.m. on Hartford Avenue. It’s a busy stretch, with lots of drivers heading between Newington, Hartford, and other nearby towns like Wethersfield and West Hartford.
Police said a 70-year-old man was struck by a car that took off, leaving him in the road. Emergency crews rushed the man to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.
Investigators haven’t shared the exact nature of his injuries, but they called them significant enough to trigger a major accident investigation. The crash set off concern among folks in Newington and nearby towns, especially since pedestrian safety has been a hot topic lately.
Witnesses and First Responders Rally at the Scene
When officers got there, the car was long gone. They found only the injured pedestrian and scattered debris.
Witnesses in the area gave early tips about the type of car and the direction it went. Those first accounts helped police focus their search and hang onto key evidence.
In the debris, investigators found a damaged side mirror. It looked like it had come from the suspect’s car.
That clue quickly became the key to narrowing the search from a sea of possible cars to just one.
How Investigators Identified the Suspect Vehicle
Newington detectives kicked off a thorough investigation, mixing old-school police work with modern tech. They canvassed Hartford Avenue and nearby streets, checking surveillance footage from businesses and houses.
They even looked at spots where commuters from places like New Britain and East Hartford might pass through. Video showed what looked like a gray vehicle with a black roof driving in the area around the time of the crash.
That image, plus the damaged side mirror, gave them a clearer idea of what to look for. The side mirror was analyzed and turned out to belong to a Toyota Camry.
With that info, police narrowed their search to that make and model. They focused on similar cars caught on cameras around 7:15 p.m.
Investigators also checked FLOCK license plate reader cameras, which are popping up all over Connecticut—from Newington to Manchester and beyond.
These cameras scan and log license plates, helping police figure out vehicle movements near the time of a crash. By cross-referencing the Camry description with FLOCK data, officers picked out a likely suspect vehicle.
When they found the car, it was missing a side mirror that matched the one from the scene. The damage reportedly lined up with the Hartford Avenue crash.
Middletown Woman Arrested, Faces Multiple Charges
The car led police to a 44-year-old woman from Middletown. Police arrested her on Tuesday after what they called a careful, evidence-driven investigation to make sure they had the right person.
According to Newington police, she faces these charges:
Authorities said she was held on a $50,000 bond. More court details weren’t immediately available, but the case is likely to get attention from folks all over the Hartford area, including towns like Bristol and Meriden, where people are still worried about pedestrian safety and hit-and-run drivers.
Community Safety and Ongoing Investigation
Newington police haven’t released the name of the 70-year-old victim. His current condition remains unknown to the public.
Investigators say the arrest isn’t the end of their work. They keep reviewing evidence and talking with witnesses as they build the case for prosecutors.
Officials took the opportunity to remind drivers across Connecticut—whether in a small town like Cromwell or a bigger city like Hartford—about their responsibility to stay at the scene after any crash. This is especially true when a pedestrian is involved.
They pointed out that leaving the scene shifts an accident into criminal territory. It can make things much worse for the victims.
If you know anything about the Hartford Avenue incident, please reach out to the Newington Police Department. Investigators are still working on their report and want to help the victim get justice.
Here is the source article for this story: Arrest made in Newington hit-and-run pedestrian crash
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