An arrest was recently made in connection to a hit-and-run last year.
On Friday, March 24, the 45th Precinct reported that 44-year old Victor Pelaez had been arrested for his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run incident which resulted in the death of 26-year-old Giovanni ‘Gio’ Nin on the morning of Saturday, June 11.
Pelaez, a Mayflower Avenue resident, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. It is believed he was the driver of the silver BMW X5 (early 2000’s model) which struck and killed Nin.
Police used parts of Pelaez’ car that were found at the scene to identify the vehicle which he had reported stolen the evening of the tragic incident.
On Wednesday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nin’s family and friends gathered outside of the Bronx County Hall of Justice to protest for the #JUSTICEFORGIO, with the family stating that the charges against Pelaez should be harsher.
Protestors wore all black and either carried signs that said ‘Justice For Gio’ or flowers that were laid out in front of the courthouse.
Nin, a Foxhurst resident, was biking to his girlfriend’s apartment in Throggs Neck between work shifts at the FedEx Ground on 635 Zerega Avenue.
He was struck on East Tremont and Baisley avenues, while attempting to cross, mid-block, from the westbound to the eastbound side of East Tremont. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical services responders.
Immediately following the incident, a GoFundMe page was created to help Nin’s family raise money for funeral expenses. It only took three days to reach the $12,000 goal.
Later that month, the Transportation Alternatives Bronx Committee held a ceremony commemorating Nin’s life, which featured a ghost bike dedication and installation at the spot where he was struck.
In September 2016, the NYC Department of Transportation implemented its traffic-slowing road diet plan, which had been pitched since 2015, from Waterbury Avenue to Bruckner Boulevard to narrow a portion of East Tremont Avenue, a stretch which includes the spot where Nin was hit.
No prior arrests had been made in connection to this incident until Pelaez was arraigned last Friday.
