Man charged in alleged hit-and-run death of teen

HADDAM — State police have arrested a 27-year-old Haddam man in connection with the alleged hit-and-run death of a 14-year-old HaddamKillingworth High School student in late July.

Loved ones described Gianna Vincelett, who was killed while riding her bicycle on the evening of July 29, as a “beautiful person who touched the hearts of many.”

The teen was hit by a motorist who allegedly fled on Route 81 / Killingworth Road, police said.

Thomas A. Cretella, 27, of the Higganum section of town was arrested Monday and is charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, evading responsibility, resulting in death, and improper passing, according to police.

According to court documents, police said a witness told them the motorist allegedly “never stopped” and drove north on Route 81.

Gianna was taken to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford for treatment, and was pronounced dead just before 9 p.m. July 30, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

A witness said they

Gianna Vincelett was killed while riding her bicycle on the evening of July 29.

and Gianna were riding bikes at 10:30 p.m. when the witness “felt a strong gust of wind blow from behind” ... that caused the witness “to be blown off her bike,” and realize it was a motor vehicle, according to the warrant affidavit.

The witness described the car as a dark-colored sedan, the warrant affidavit says.

The victim said Gianna’s bike was “in pieces,” according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

A collision analysis and reconstruction squad determined that the car’s right front end collided with the rear tire of the bike, and they later found a black “fragment of automotive debris that had Hyundai badging as well as other Hyundai markings, the warrant affidavit says.

Later it was determined to be a front bumper cover, according to the warrant affidavit.

A relative of Cretella’s called police July 30 about 7:30 p.m. to say his vehicle matched the car’s description released to the public, “and had fresh damage to it,” according to the warrant affidavit.

The warrant says that Cretella “did not remember anything from the night” and was “unable to recall where he was and who he was with.”

On July 30, officers went to Cretella’s home and obtained his consent to search his car, which had damage, the warrant affidavit says.

He allegedly said he “did not remember much of the drive home and did not remember if he was involved in a motor vehicle accident,” the warrant affidavit says. . But Cretella also allegedly told police “he was really concerned he may have hit the young girl on his way home and inquired several times about her medical status,” the warrant affidavit says.

Cretella told officers that when he arrived home he “turned on his video game system, plugging in his laptop and taking a shower.” The next thing he remembered was being revived by EMS crew members who came to his house, the warrant affidavit says.

He also allegedly said no one drove his car but himself, the warrant affidavit says.

A speed analysis determined Cretella’s car was driving between approximately 35 and 43 mph in a 45 mph zone, the warrant affidavit says.

Cretella turned himself Monday at the Westbrook barracks, and was arraigned in Superior Court at Middletown and is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail. His case was continued to Dec. 22.

Cretella