ARREST IN FATAL HIT AND RUN MAY HAVE FAMILY TIES TO HPD OFFICER

These details just came out tonight, although they were first reported a month ago by NBC Connecticut Troubleshooter Jill Konopka along with video she had obtained

HPD is just confirming those details now in this release tonight from HPD Deputy Chief Brian Foley.

On Saturday, September 16, 2017, at approximately 2:03am, Hartford Police Department Patrol officers responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Hudson Street and Park Street. Officers arrived on scene and began rendering aide to a female victim, later identified as Cynthia James, 58 of Hartford. Preliminary investigation revealed that a dark colored vehicle struck Ms. James and evaded the scene, traveling northbound on Hudson Street.

At approximately 2:54am, Ms. James succumbed to injuries suffered in the crash and was pronounced deceased at Hartford Hospital.

Video footage of the fatal accident was obtained from the city’s camera system as well as private systems by personnel from the Capitol City Command Center (C4). The video footage showed Ms. James walking eastbound on Park Street on the south sidewalk. Ms. James then walks eastbound across Hudson Street, in the marked crosswalk, under an illuminated “Do Not Walk” signal. Ms. James can be seen almost being struck by an SUV traveling southbound on Hudson Street as she crossed. Ms. James continues eastbound across Hudson Street when she is struck by a dark colored vehicle traveling northbound on Hudson Street. At the time of the crash, vehicles traveling on Hudson Street had a green traffic control signal. Additional video footage shows the suspect vehicle’s brake lights illuminate before the vehicle continues northbound on Hudson Street, evading the scene of the crash.

At 5am, the Office of the Hartford State’s Attorney was notified via phone of the fatal crash investigation. A crime scene was established in the area of Park Street and Hudson Street which was processed by Detectives from the Hartford Police Department Crime Scene Division. As the investigation progressed, additional video footage was recovered by C4 personnel showing the suspect vehicle. HPD had not yet been able to positively ID the car or develop a suspect.

At approximately 9:30am, an HPD Major Crimes Division supervisor was contacted by an off-duty Hartford Police Officer regarding the crash. The Officer notified the Sergeant that his half-brother, Nathen Negron, was the operator of the vehicle involved in the Park Street and Hudson Street fatal crash. The Sergeant worked to ascertain additional information pertinent to the investigation, including the whereabouts of Negron and the location of the involved vehicle.

Notifications were then made to HPD command personnel regarding the potential involvement of a family member of an HPD Officer. At 10:45am, the Sergeant advised investigators that Negron was at his parent’s home, located at 82 Harwich Street, Hartford, Connecticut. This information was relayed to Crime Scene Division Detectives who responded to 82 Harwich Street. At approximately 10:49 hours, HPD contacted the Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office and advised them of the newly obtained information, including the fact that the suspect is a family member of a HPD Officer. HPD was advised to continue with the investigation.

HPD Detectives from the Crime Scene Division responded to 82 Harwich Street, the home of Negron’s parents. Negron met with Detectives there and agreed to be interviewed about the incident. The vehicle involved in the incident, a black 2015 Honda Civic (CT 316-ZER), then arrived at 82 Harwich Street driven by the registered owner, Shayla Bonner. Bonner was determined to have been the front seat passenger in the Honda Civic at the time of the crash. Bonner also agree to be interviewed by Detectives. The Honda Civic had visible damage consistent with having been involved in a crash involving a pedestrian. The vehicle was immediately seized as evidence and brought to the Hartford Police Department and held for further examination.

Both Negron and Bonner voluntarily came to the Hartford Police Department to be interviewed. Prior to the interview of Negron and Bonner, at 11:33am, the Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office was advised that Negron, Bonner and the vehicle had been located. They were advised that Negron and Bonner were traveling to the Hartford Police Department to be interviewed by HPD Detectives.

Both Negron and Bonner were interviewed by detectives and provided details of their involvement in the accident.

Investigation into the incident continued, including obtaining additional video evidence from within Matty D’s bar.

The HPD Officer, who contacted HPD about his half-brother’s involvement, was interviewed by Detectives from the Crime Scene Division regarding the incident.

Based on evidence and the Officer’s details about his involvement in the fatal motor vehicle accident aftermath, HPD initiated an internal administrative investigation. That Internal Affairs Division investigation is ongoing.

Based on the information obtained by Detectives, an arrest warrant application was submitted to Superior Court in Hartford and obtained on November 21, 2017, charging Negron with 53a-157b, False Statement, 14-222a, Negligent Homicide with a motor vehicle and 14-224(a), Evading Responsibility with Death with a $100,000 bond. On November 21, 2017 at 8:00pm Negron turned himself in to HPD detectives.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing and additional criminal charges may apply pending further inform