MERIDEN, CT — A 38-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that police say was an intentional act.
Jeffrey Kovic, of Meriden, was arrested Monday on charges including manslaughter in the first degree, evading responsibility resulting in death, reckless driving and larceny in the sixth degree.
The incident occurred on Dec. 13 at approximately 7:14 p.m. when Meriden police received multiple 911 calls reporting a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle in the area of Broad Street and Twiss Avenue.
Officers found an adult male lying in the roadway near 978 Broad Street with life-threatening injuries.
The vehicle involved had fled the scene before officers arrived.
The victim was transported to Midstate Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The victim was later identified as Wilfredo Rivera-Rivera, 26, of Meriden.
After reviewing surveillance video from the surrounding area, investigators determined the incident was not an accident but an intentional act.
The investigation revealed a physical altercation occurred between Rivera-Rivera and another male before the victim was struck by the vehicle.
The Connecticut State Forensic Lab assisted in the investigation.
Kovic is being held on $250,000 bond.
