HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) – Hartford police arrested a man accused of hitting three Trinity College students, killing one of them last year.

Police said on March 31, 2022, around 11:30 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of New Britain Avenue and Henry Street for the report of pedestrians struck by a car. When officers arrived, they located three females, one of them being unresponsive.

The unresponsive female was pronounced dead at the scene. She was identified as 20-year-old Jillian Hegarty of Vermont. The two other students were hospitalized and one sustained critical injuries.

Police learned the victims were crossing the street when they were struck by a silver Volkswagen that fled the scene.

On Wednesday, police arrested Karanja Thomas of Hartford in connection to the incident. He was charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, third-degree assault, reckless endangerment, evading responsibility resulting in death, and several other charges.

He was held on a $300,000 bond.

Detectives said they were able to recover the car in New Haven shortly after the hit-and-run.

Police gathered enough forensic evidence and DNA at the scene to place Thomas behind the wheel at the time of the fatal collision.

Hartford police said whether it is a hit-and-run or a murder, they remember the victims and continue to work the cases.

“It is quite fulfilling to be able to tell the family that we have brought their case to closure,” Hartford Police Lt. Aaron Boisvert said.