Connecticut State Police
A girls' youth basketball coach was arrested in Connecticut over the weekend after he allegedly mowed down a man with his car following a verbal argument… and it was all caught on video!
The freak incident occurred in a parking lot after a basketball game just after 11 a.m. on Jan. 11 at Horace Porter School in Columbia, CT — about 10 miles south of UConn — and prompted a response from Connecticut State Police.
When officers arrived, they spoke to the alleged victim, who claimed the bus “intentionally crashed into them, throwing them over the roof and hood of the vehicle before falling to the ground.”
CSP said they observed “visible injuries” on the victim.
At the same time, the bus/driver contacted the police…and arranged a meeting with police officers where he told his side of the story.
29 years old Bryan Baez Rivera admitted getting into an argument after the basketball game, but said he didn't intentionally hit anyone with his vehicle. Instead, Baez-Rivera told officers that the man chased him on foot and eventually jumped in front of his car, causing him to be hit.
Surveillance video shows the entire scene… including the moment the man was hit and thrown over the hood.
Baez-Rivera told officers he fled the scene because he was concerned for the safety of his passengers, some of whom were children.
Despite his story, CSP saw things differently… and concluded that the footage proved, “Baez-Rivera appeared to make no attempt to avoid the victim.”
Baez-Rivera was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree reckless endangerment and two counts of risk of injury to a minor.
He was eventually released on $5,000 bail… and is due back in court later this month.
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is also investigating the incident.