LI Man Arraigned In Hit-And-Run Death Of Nicki Minaj's Father

MINEOLA, NY — A Mineola man has been arraigned in connection with the hit-and-run death of rapper Nicki Minaj's father.

Charles Polevich, 71, is charged with leaving the scene of an auto accident with a fatality and tampering with evidence, court documents reveal. He entered a not guilty plea during an appearance Friday in Nassau County court.

Prosecutors say Polevich struck and killed 64-year-old Robert Maraj. The famous rapper's father was walking along Roslyn Road at about 6:15 p.m. on Feb. 12, 2021, when the station wagon hit him.

"After seeing Robert Maraj severely injured on the ground, (Polevich) allegedly committed a most heinous act — he simply walked away," said Acting Nassau County District Attorney Joyce A. Smith. "Rather than aid the man he struck, the defendant allegedly drove home and hid his vehicle, while Maraj died from his injuries."

According to court documents, Polevich hid his 1992 Volvo station wagon in his garage under a tarp. Maraj, who underwent emergency surgery at a hospital, was pronounced dead the following day.

Less than a week later, Polevich turned himself in to police in Nassau County.

Michael Scotto, the attorney representing Polevich, previously described Maraj's death as a "tragic accident," adding, that his thoughts and that of his client's "are with the Maraj family."

In a statement released Friday, Smith said her office will "continue to hold drivers accountable when they strike innocent pedestrians and flee the scene."

If convicted on the top charge, Polevich faces up to seven years in prison. He is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 21, 2022.