Man, 69, Charged In January Hit & Run Of 10-Year-Old Boy: Police

EAST HAVEN, CT —It was around 4 p.m. on a cold January day shortly after elementary schools let out that a car struck a 10-year-old boy on a Main Street crosswalk and then fled.

Police and fire crews responded, and the child was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries, East Haven police Capt. Joseph M. Murgo said at the time.

Friday, Murgo announced that an arrest had been made in the hit-and-run. He said that day, a 2018 Honda HR-V, struck the child in a crosswalk before fleeing through the parking lot of 655 Main Street, exiting onto Eastbound Frontage Road.

Several witnesses attempted to intervene but were unsuccessful in stopping the vehicle, he said.

"Both the witnesses and the juvenile victim informed Officer Tyler Pelham that the driver did not stop or slow down after the collision," Murgo said. "Video surveillance from the area confirmed that the Honda HR-V struck the child in front of multiple witnesses, one of whom can be seen waving his hands while chasing the vehicle on foot."

Police identified the vehicle and contacted the registered owner, Serafin Reyes Viera, 69, of New Haven.

"Reyes Viera, who matched the description of the driver, acknowledged cutting through the parking lot of 655 Main Street around 3:30 p.m. but stated he did not remember striking a pedestrian," Murgo said.

Following an investigation, officers submitted an arrest warrant affidavit and arrangements were made for Reyes Viera to turn himself in, Murgo said. The man was charged with Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian and Evading Responsibility Resulting in Injury. He was released on bond and is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 26.