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Suspect in New Britain Hit & Run Charged As An Adult

Connecticut Public Radio | By Walter Smith Randolph,
Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
Published September 21, 2021 at 3:57 PM EDT
The corner of East and Belden streets in New Britain on July 14, 2021, the location of an incident where a civilian chased a juvenile in a stolen car resulting in a crash and the death of a bystander.
Tyler Russell/Connecticut Public
/
Connecticut Public
The corner of East and Belden streets in New Britain on July 14, 2021, the location of an incident where a civilian chased a juvenile in a stolen car resulting in a crash and the death of a bystander.

The 17-year-old suspect at the center of the fatal New Britain hit and run case from this summer was arraigned Tuesday. It comes just a week after the man who police say was chasing him was arraigned for his alleged role in the fatal crash.

Luis Pagan-Gonzalez, 17, pleaded not guilty to charges of felony assault, felony larceny and reckless endangerment in New Britain court Tuesday.

Connecticut Public is naming Pagan-Gonzalez because he is being charged as an adult and his identity is public.

Police say Pagan-Gonzalez was behind the wheel of a stolen Audi when he mowed down 53-year-old Henryk Gudelski in New Britain back in June. Surveillance video shows the 17-year-old running away after the crash.

According to the arrest warrant application, police found Pagan-Gonzalez hiding in a closet at home. The 17-year-old told police he was speeding because he was being chased by another driver.

That driver, Ben Jones, III, told police he chased the 17-year-old for 11 miles because he allegedly stole his wallet. Jones was charged with reckless driving and reckless endangerment last week and pleaded not guilty.

Pagan-Gonzalez is being held at the Manson Youth Institute on $750,000 bond.
News
Walter Smith Randolph
Walter Smith Randolph is Connecticut Public’s Investigative Editor. In 2021, Walter launched The Accountability Project, CT Public’s investigative reporting initiative. Since then, the team’s reporting has led to policy changes across the state. Additionally, The Accountability Project’s work has been honored with a National Edward R. Murrow award from RTDNA, two regional Murrow awards, a national Sigma Delta Chi award from the Society of Professional Journalists, three regional EMMY nominations and a dozen CT SPJ awards.
See stories by Walter Smith Randolph
Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
Jacqueline Rabe Thomas was an investigative reporter with Connecticut Public’s Accountability Project from July 2021 until August 2022.
See stories by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

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