UPDATE Branford Man Charged In Fatal July 2024 New Haven Hit-and-Run That Claimed West Haven Man's Life: NHPD

NEW HAVEN, CT — "His death didn't just change our lives. It shattered them."

A year ago, Nader "Nick" Elias Hanania, 63, of West Haven, was killed when a red-light running car collided with his vehicle at the intersection of College Street and South Frontage Road.

It was just before 5 a.m. on July 10 when a Hyundai Accent was traveling on College Street from MLK Boulevard. As the Hyundai begins to enter the intersection of South Frontage and College, a Toyota Supra, going south, runs the red light and collides with the passenger-side of the Hyundai and then took off on foot, video showed.

Hanania was driving the Hyundai. Taken to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he died. Hanania was a married father of two. He worked as a medical courier.

Police had a suspect thanks to the early work of two young patrol officers, Jacob D'Ascanio and Dave Mansingh. Extensive camera footage and witness statements, helped lead investigator, Sgt. Karl Rindfleisch of the department's Crash Reconstruction Team, build a case.

Now, a year later, an arrest has been made and a Branford man has been charged with first-degree manslaughter among myriad other related felonies.

Shawn Hopkinson, 41, was arrested by New Haven police July 2.

Thursday morning, New Haven Chief of Police Karl Jacobson and Mayor Justin Elicker along with police command staff and investigators will hold a news briefing on the case. They will be joined by members of Nader Hanania's family.

Hopkinson, who is also charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, illegal highway racing, evading responsibility with death resulting, and numerous traffic-related charges, is being held in the New Haven Correctional Center on $500,000 bond.

'The heart and soul of our family'

"Nick was the heart and soul of our family," Samahar “Sam” Hanania, said of her husband, whom she described as a deeply devoted father whose family was his life. "And he was a man who lived each day with purpose and kindness."

"He was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back without hesitation. Not because he had extra, but because he couldn't bear to see anyone go without."

Choking back tears and with a quivering voice, she said that, "His death didn't just change our lives, it shattered them."

Watch the full news briefing from New Haven police here:

This post will be updated following the event.