Driver arrested in connection with 2023 hit-and-run death of Bronx car wash worker.

A woman has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of a car wash worker in the Bronx. Trina Bryant, aged 32, faces multiple charges, including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and leaving the scene of an accident following the tragic event that occurred on February 19, 2023.

The victim, 47-year-old Felix Thomas Bontia, was struck while performing his duties at a 24-hour car wash located on Webster Avenue near East 167th Street in the Claremont neighborhood. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Bontia was drying a customer’s black Toyota RAV4 with a cloth when he was hit by Bryant’s vehicle at approximately 5:20 a.m. According to authorities, Bontia was wearing a blue jacket and reflective vest, which are typically worn by workers in such settings, to ensure visibility.

Reports indicate that Bryant was driving a 2011 Ford Escape at excessive speed down a bus lane when the incident occurred. Surveillance footage has surfaced showing the moment the SUV collided with Bontia and the vehicle he was servicing, thrusting the Toyota against a nearby sign for the car wash. Witnesses described the conditions at the time as unusually sparse for traffic, suggesting that Bryant’s vehicle was traveling over 60 miles per hour. The car reportedly ran a red light, further compounding the circumstances of this tragic incident.

Milton Cardenas, the manager of the car wash, expressed his disbelief and sorrow following the incident, highlighting Bontia’s character as a dedicated and quiet employee. Cardenas noted that Bontia had family in Mexico, including two children, and described the significant impact Bontia’s death has had on those who knew him. Emergency medical responders transported Bontia to Lincoln Hospital; unfortunately, he did not survive his injuries.

Additionally, a 58-year-old driver of the Toyota RAV4 sustained minor injuries during the collision. Eyewitness reports from the scene suggest that Bryant may have had another passenger with her when the incident occurred, as two women reportedly fled the scene after the crash.

Bryant is expected to appear in Bronx Criminal Court for her arraignment, where the full scope of charges against her will be formally addressed. This incident has sparked considerable concern within the community, highlighting the ongoing issues of reckless driving and the safety of workers in busy urban environments. Media News Source.