Greenwich man charged in hit-and-run crash that killed two pedestrians in Stamford
A Greenwich man was arrested on manslaughter charges in Florida on Thursday in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed two pedestrians in December, according to the Stamford Police Department.
Michael Talbot, 24, of Greenwich was arrested on an active warrant while visiting family in Florida on Thursday night, police said. Talbot is charged in a hit-and-run crash that killed Yuliana Arias-Lozano and Giovani Vega-Benis on Dec. 3, 2022.
Police responded to the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Main Street after 2 a.m. on Dec. 3 for a reported fatal motor vehicle vs. pedestrian collision.
Investigations into the crash found that Arias-Lozano and Vega-Benis were walking across Washington Boulevard. The two were believed to be in the crosswalk when they were hit by a Mercedes traveling southbound on Washington Boulevard. The two pedestrians were thrown into the northbound lanes from the impact, police said.
The Mercedes kept driving for a distance before it stopped just beyond 888 Washington Boulevard due to heavy damage to the vehicle. The driver, later identified as Talbot, left the vehicle and tried to flee the scene on foot, police said.
Police arrived at the scene and witnesses told them which direction the suspect fled. Police found Talbot hiding behind a dumpster in the back of a building on Relay Place, where he was detained, police said.
Both pedestrians were transported to Stamford Hospital where they were pronounced dead. Talbot was also transported to Stamford Hospital for claims of minor injuries, police said.
No charges were initially filed against Talbot after the crash, but a warrant charging him with manslaughter was signed by a judge on Jan. 4, police said.
Talbot is charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, two counts of felony evading responsibility, operating a vehicle under the influence and reckless operation.
He is being held in lieu of a court-set bond of $1 million. He will remain in custody in Florida until he waives extradition and can be transported back to Stamford, police said.
