Family of Bridgeport woman and child killed in crash talk publicly for 1st time about suspect arrested in the case
The crash occurred March 6 on Pembroke Street near the intersection of Boston Avenue.
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The family of the Bridgeport woman and child killed in a crash are talking publicly for the first time about the arrest of a suspect in the case.
The crash occurred March 6 on Pembroke Street near the intersection of Boston Avenue.
Police arrested 40-year-old Solomon Valentine in connection with the death of 4-year-old Noah Rodriguez and 24-year-old Chelsy Naesha Torres on Monday, eight months after the crash.
The name of the 4-year-old victim was honored on a playground bench at the Hall Neighborhood House, where his family says he used to spend countless hours.
Ashley Aquino said she was sitting next to Torres, her sister, with her son in the back seat when their car was struck and crushed on impact.
"Someone needed to be held accountable for the actions, and sadly, it was the driver," said Aquino.
Valentine faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence of PCP and two counts of second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle.
"It's just a lot, I don't even know if my own heart can handle it," said Aquino.
She recounts being in shock and hearing screams from the back seat.
"As soon as the light turned green, everything went black for 2 seconds," said Aquino.
Ashley says it's a miracle that her other son, who was in the car at the time of the crash and also critically injured, ended up making a full recovery.
"He definitely is a miracle child. I was scared that I was going to lose both my kids, and he proved me wrong," said Aquino.
Police say they arrested Valentine over the weekend on a pending warrant after he was involved in a domestic dispute on William Street.
Aquino said, "I am happy that justice is in the process of being served."
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