Man faces 20 years in fatal hit-run
Charges upgraded in Stamford case for Michael Talbot of Greenwich
STAMFORD — A Greenwich man is now facing up to 20 years in prison after state prosecutors upgraded the felony charges he faces in connection to a hit-andrun crash that killed two people in Stamford.
Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Moran formally upgraded the charges against 24year-old Michael Talbot from two counts of second-degree manslaughter to two counts of first-degree manslaughter during a hearing Tuesday at state Superior Court in Stamford.
The upgraded charges mean that Talbot could now face twice as much prison time as he was originally facing. First-degree manslaughter is a Class B felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $15,000. Second-degree manslaughter is a Class C felony with a maximum 10-year prison sentence and a fine up to $10,000.
Last month, Moran had said during a hearing that the state would “likely” upgrade the charges, but they were “awaiting more information” first. Talbot, who is being held on $1.75 million bond after being extradited from Florida as a fugitive, was allegedly driving 86 mph in a 25 mph zone when he struck and killed Yuliana Arias Lozano and Giovani Vega Benis as they were walking home from work on Dec. 3, according to Moran.
Members from Arias’s and Vega’s families watched Tuesday’s court proceedings, though Talbot did not appear in person, instead attending remotely from the courthouse’s holding cell.
Following Tuesday’s hearing, one of the dozens of people who showed up to support the two families allegedly confronted Talbot’s attorney, Gene Zingaro,
on the second floor of the courthouse’s parking garage, according to two judicial marshals familiar with the incident.
While Zingaro did not comment on what took place during the confrontation, he did say he would not pursue any legal action against the person.
“I understand how much grief they must be going through,” Zingaro said.
Moran declined to comment, as did the External Affairs Division of the Connecticut Judicial Branch.
After the hearing, members of the Arias family gathered in front of the courthouse and unfurled a banner with a painting bearing the faces of Arias and Vega with the words “En memoria de Giovani y Juliana.”
“I want to make sure that their memory stays alive. These were two beautiful souls,” said Arias’s brother, Nicolas. “These lives were taken much too early and it’s important that we keep remembering their lives and what they stood for. That’s very important to us.”
Arias’s brother and mother recently arrived in Connecticut from Colombia, the family’s attorney, Alex J. Martinez, said Tuesday. Upon their arrival in Stamford, the two visited the spot where Arias died, which helped provide “some closure,” Martinez said.
“I want to make sure that justice is served and that justice recognizes the life of my daughter, that my daughter’s death is not in vain,” said Arias’s mother, Josefina.
Attorney Matthew Maddox, who represents Vega’s family, declined comment on Tuesday.
Talbot is accused of hitting Arias and Vega, both 25, as they were crossing Washington Boulevard at Main Street around 2 a.m. Dec. 3, Stamford Police Sgt. Jeffrey Booth said.
Arias and Vega, who were employees of the Cantina Mexicana on Summer Street, had left the restaurant after finishing their shifts. After stopping for cash at an ATM and eating at Curley’s Diner, the two were struck by a 2022 Mercedes, police said. Arias and Vega were pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators determined the driver “did not apply his brakes at any point as there were no skid marks observed” in the road, according to the arrest warrant.
After striking the two people, the driver tried to leave, but his car was disabled, Moran said.
According to the arrest warrant, the driver ran away, hopping a fence before hiding in the backyard of a nearby home.
When police found a man later identified as Talbot behind a shed on Relay Place, the 24-yearold started crying and allegedly said, “Please tell me I didn’t kill anyone tonight,” according to the warrant.
Talbot allegedly told police he had been out drinking with friends at numerous locations, the warrant stated. He also told police he left his car in the middle of the road when he realized it was disabled, according to the warrant.
Toward the end of the interview, when police told him he’d be released, Talbot allegedly said, “I could have sworn I hit something or someone like tonight,” the warrant stated.
Court records show Talbot has spent time at an alcohol rehabilitation center and has previously been convicted of reckless driving and leaving the scene of a crash.
Talbot is next expected to appear in court on June 20.