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, 67, was arrested by Connecticut State Police after he was allegedly identified as the driver of a Toyota Corolla that was seen on video driving into a pedestrian. In a press release, police said that they responded to a report of a driver “evading vehicle collision involving a pedestrian” on Tuesday morning near an off-ramp on Connecticut’s Route 8 in Derby.
The 49-year-old victim was met at the scene by state troopers and brought to the hospital for minor injuries.
Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.
Police said that as their investigation into the alleged incident took shape, they were able to view surveillance video from the highway that captured what happened. According to the police, the Corolla — later determined to be registered to Chapman — was seen “reversing from the right lane, shifting into drive, and accelerating directly toward the pedestrian as they faced the vehicle.” The Corolla was then seen “striking the pedestrian” and then fleeing “at a high rate of speed” and “without rendering aid.”
The victim told police that they were attempting to change lanes when they collided with another vehicle “that sped up from the right.” According to the victim, they pulled over to the side of the road to get the license plate that fell off the Corolla during the collision.
Chapman then allegedly drove his vehicle into the alleged victim as the victim was walking on the side of the road.
Police tracked Chapman to his home in Shelton, Connecticut, after running his plates and registration. He was arrested without incident and charged with interfering with an officer, reckless endangerment in the first degree, breach of peace in the first degree, reckless driving, and evading responsibility with physical injury.
Chapman posted $10,000 bond and was released from custody. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 2.
