Background: Exit 12B on Connecticut”s Route 8 (Google Maps). Inset: Keith Chapman (Connecticut State Police).
A Connecticut man faces felony charges after police accused him of intentionally trying to hit a pedestrian and then driving away.
Keith Chapman, age 67, was taken into custody by Connecticut State Police following his alleged involvement as the driver of a Toyota Corolla implicated in a video showing the vehicle hitting a pedestrian. According to a police press release, officers were dispatched to address a report of a hit-and-run incident involving a pedestrian near a highway exit on Connecticut’s Route 8 in Derby, which occurred on Tuesday morning.
The 49-year-old victim was met at the scene by state troopers and brought to the hospital for minor injuries.
Police explained that during their investigation into this alleged event, they accessed highway surveillance footage that captured the incident. The footage revealed that the Corolla — which was later found to be registered to Chapman — was seen reversing from the right lane, switching to drive, and then accelerating toward the pedestrian, who was facing the car. The video further showed the Corolla striking the pedestrian and then speeding away without offering any assistance.
The pedestrian involved informed police that their vehicle was attempting to change lanes when it collided with another car that “accelerated from the right.” After the accident, they pulled over to retrieve the license plate that had dislodged from the Corolla during the crash.
Chapman then allegedly drove his vehicle into the alleged victim as the victim was walking on the side of the road.
Authorities traced Chapman to his residence in Shelton, Connecticut, by checking his vehicle’s plates and registration. He was apprehended without any issues and faces charges including interfering with an officer, first-degree reckless endangerment, first-degree breach of peace, reckless driving, and fleeing the scene of an accident with a victim suffering injuries.
Chapman posted $10,000 bond and was released from custody. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 2.
