Man Charged In Fatal Pedestrian Crash In Hamden: Police

Hamden CT

29 April, 2022

3:42 PM

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HAMDEN, CT — A New Haven man has been arrested in connection with a crash that killed a pedestrian last month in Hamden, according to police. Police responded to the area of Dixwell Avenue near North Street around 3:30 p.m. on March 13 on the report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle, according to Detective Sean J. Dolan. Dolan said the victim died of his injuries and was later identified as Raekwon McLean, 24, of New Haven. Detective Donald Remillard conducted an extensive investigation that led to the arrest of Devington Beckford, 25, of New Haven, on Wednesday, according to Dolan. Dolan said the investigation found that the victim, McLean, was driving a reported stolen SUV that was being chased by another vehicle that was being operated by Beckford. Beckford reported the SUV stolen a few days earlier and tried to call 911 while following the car, according to Dolan. The stolen vehicle operated by McLean was involved in a collision with a third vehicle on Dixwell Avenue at the intersection of North Street, Dolan said. McLean ran from the stolen SUV at the scene of the accident toward North Street. "Beckford accelerated his vehicle onto North Street towards McLean, as he was running away," Dolan wrote in a news release. "As McLean ran, he fell in the roadway and was driven over by Beckford's vehicle." Beckford was charged with first-degree manslaughter and first-degree reckless endangerment. He was held in lieu of a $500,000 bond with a court date of May 11. To sign up for Hamden breaking news alerts and more, click here.