New Haven Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash

New Haven Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash

NEW HAVEN, CT — A somber chapter in a tragic case has come to a close as a New Haven man has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a beloved community member. The sentencing, which took place earlier this week in a New Haven courtroom, marks the culmination of a deeply emotional and painful journey for the victim’s family and the community at large.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of a chilly autumn morning, left the city shaken. The victim, 42-year-old Melissa Grant, was walking along Whalley Avenue near Norton Street when she was struck by a speeding vehicle that failed to stop. Surveillance footage and witness accounts helped authorities track down the suspect, later identified as 31-year-old DeAndre Williams, a New Haven resident with prior driving infractions on his record.

According to police, Williams was driving a silver sedan at an excessive speed when he veered out of his lane and struck Grant, who was crossing the street at a designated crosswalk. Rather than stopping to render aid or call for emergency assistance, Williams fled the scene, leaving Grant critically injured. Emergency responders arrived minutes later, but despite their best efforts, Grant was pronounced dead at Yale New Haven Hospital.

The investigation led detectives to Williams after several days of community tips and forensic analysis of debris found at the scene. He was arrested two weeks later and charged with evading responsibility resulting in death, vehicular manslaughter, and reckless driving.

During the sentencing hearing, members of Melissa Grant’s family gave heartbreaking victim impact statements, describing her as a loving daughter, sister, and mother of two young children. Her sister, Tanya Grant, tearfully recounted the devastating toll her loss has taken on the entire family, saying, “Melissa didn’t deserve this. She was walking home from work — something so routine — and now she’s gone forever. Our lives will never be the same.”

Prosecutors asked for the maximum sentence allowable under the plea agreement, emphasizing the recklessness of Williams’ actions and the irreversible consequences. Assistant State’s Attorney Rachel Matthews told the court, “This wasn’t just a tragic accident. It was a crime — one that involved a conscious decision to flee the scene and leave a dying woman on the road. That decision cost Melissa her life.”

Williams, who pleaded guilty earlier this year as part of a plea bargain, expressed remorse during the sentencing, saying, “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t regret what happened. I panicked, and I made the worst mistake of my life. I can’t bring her back, but I am truly sorry to her family and everyone who loved her.”

Superior Court Judge Thomas Corrigan sentenced Williams to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised probation. The judge noted that while nothing could undo the pain caused, the sentence reflected both the seriousness of the offense and Williams’ acceptance of responsibility. “You chose to run instead of facing the consequences,” the judge said. “That choice, more than the accident itself, is what has brought us here today.”

Following the sentencing, the Grant family said they hope the outcome sends a message to others about the importance of accountability and the value of human life. “Justice was served in part today,” said Tanya Grant. “But no sentence can bring Melissa back. We can only hope that this tragedy reminds people to drive with care and to stop — just stop — when something like this happens.”

The city of New Haven continues to grapple with the broader implications of traffic safety and pedestrian protection. In the wake of the tragedy, city officials have announced plans to review traffic patterns and increase enforcement in high-risk areas.

As the community mourns the loss of Melissa Grant, her memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew her, and in renewed calls for safer streets and greater accountability for those who break the law