East Haven police arrest suspect in fatal hit-and-run accident

EAST HAVEN – East Haven police have arrested a suspect in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred the night of June 14 when a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene.

The incident occurred around 9:58 p.m. near the intersection of Main Street and Boston Avenue.

Emergency personnel from the East Haven Fire Department, along with police, arrived at the scene and found the victim, 47-year-old Gina LaVacca of East Haven, with life-threatening injuries.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses reported that a dark sedan was seen leaving the area, but officers discovered surveillance footage from a nearby residence showing that a white hatchback vehicle was involved in the incident.

During a search of the Central Precinct, Officers Dean Bibens and Micah Belcher found the suspect vehicle parked at the Autumn Ridge Apartments.

With the assistance of Sergeant Ryan Gorman and Detective Jon Trinh, the driver, Elizabeth Cronk, 45, was located and arrested.

Cronk is charged with evading responsibility resulting in death and driving without a license.

She is currently held on $250,000 bail and has a court date scheduled for June 17.

The South Central Connecticut Department of Transportation is continuing its investigation.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact East Haven Police at 203-468-3820.