Man Arrested in Connection with Fatal September Hit-and-Run in Bethel
Police in Bethel have arrested a man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred back in September, bringing some movement to a case that’s lingered for months without answers.
Andrew Hitchcock, 65, was taken into custody on December 6 and is facing a felony charge of evading responsibility in a fatal crash, according to a statement from the Bethel Police Department released Monday night.
The incident dates back to the night of September 22, just after 8 p.m., when officers responded to a report of an injured man lying along the side of Nashville Road. When first responders arrived, the victim was still breathing but unresponsive. Despite immediate efforts, the man-whose identity has not been released-later died from his injuries.
From the outset, police determined the man had been struck by a vehicle traveling northbound. But the driver had fled the scene, setting off a search effort that included both patrol officers and the department’s Accident Reconstruction Team. They canvassed the area, gathering evidence and working to track down any leads.
That effort paid off quickly. The following day, during a second sweep of the area, officers located a vehicle that matched the description of the one believed to be involved in the crash. The car showed signs of damage consistent with the collision, according to investigators.
Police seized the vehicle and secured a search warrant. After conducting further testing, authorities say they confirmed the vehicle had been involved in the fatal crash. That discovery led them to Hitchcock, the registered owner of the car, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Hitchcock is currently out on a $75,000 bond, according to court records. He was scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on Tuesday to face the charge.
While the arrest marks a significant development in the case, questions still remain-most notably, the identity of the victim and the full circumstances surrounding the crash. For now, the legal process will begin to unfold, as the community awaits further answers.