2 Arrested In Fatal Hit-And-Runs

Police have made arrests in a pair of hit-and-runs that caused the deaths of two New Haveners, including 17-year-old Bryan Ramirez-Guttierez last February.

Asst. Police Chief David Zannelli announced that news during a press conference held Thursday morning inside Police Headquarters at 1 Union Ave.

Police arrested a 54-year-old on Jan. 29, 2024 for allegedly hitting Ramirez-Guttierez with his car at the intersection of Sherman Parkway and West Divison St. and then fleeing the scene. That took place on Feb. 1, 2023, the same day the high schooler died of injuries inside Yale New Haven Hospital. The suspect was taken in on charges of evading responsibility resulting in death, driving an unregistered vehicle and holding insufficient insurance. He was released from custody after posting a $50,000 court set bond.

On Jan. 9 of this year, officers also arrested a 22-year-old for allegedly hitting 42-year-old Manuel Nuñez-Sepa on Farren Avenue. That incident took place back on Dec. 26 of 2021. The suspect reportedly fled the scene, leaving Nuñez-Sepa, like Ramirez-Guttierez, abandoned in the roadway. Officers said the suspect is a convicted felon currently in custody facing a $150,000 bond for evading responsibility resulting in death.

“Over and over in Connecticut we see people driving fast, dangerously and using their phones,” Mayor Justin Elicker said. ​“The city is doing a lot to ensure drivers drive more safely.”

Some of those changes include distributing more traffic tickets and looking towards aldermanic legislation to install cameras to track and ticket red light runs and speeding. 

A $2.8 million project is also underway to raise intersections, implement new pedestrian crosswalks and install lighting along Sherman Parkway, where Ramirez-Guttierez was killed.

The number of individuals killed in fatal crashes was 11 back in 2023, as compared to 16 in 2022, 19 in 2021 and 21 in 2020. 

Elicker said his administration is looking to continue investing in pedestrian safety. He also called on New Haveners to ​“drive safely and drive slowly — or you will take a life.”