Ex-Easton Firefighter Charged With Manslaughter In Hit-And-Run

FAIRFIELD, CT — A former Easton firefighter is charged with manslaughter in connection with a Fairfield hit-and-run that killed a woman on the Fourth of July, according to court records.

Declan P. Kot, who was 22 at the time of the crash, is accused of striking 32-year-old Marileidy Morel-Araujo and fleeing the scene after a day of drinking.

Kot was initially charged with misconduct with a motor vehicle, but as of Thursday, court records reflected the charge had been removed and replaced with a second-degree manslaughter charge. Kot is also charged with evidence tampering and evading responsibility.

Araujo was a resident of Matamoras, Pennsylvania, and was celebrating the holiday with family in Fairfield the day of the crash. She was walking her dog when Kot struck her with the side mirror of his white Dodge Ram pickup and fled the 2000 block of Redding Road, authorities said in July of last year. Police stopped Kot three days later while he was driving the suspect vehicle and arrested him the following evening.

READ MORE: Woman Killed In Fairfield Hit-And-Run 'A Hard Worker, A Dreamer'

According to the Connecticut Post, Kot admitted to driving after having six drinks the day of the crash. He initially claimed he thought he hit a tree branch at the time of the incident, but later admitted to having seen Araujo along the road, the Post reported.

Kot’s lawyer, John Gulash, confirmed the state in recent days had filed substituted information in the case. While Kot’s next court date isn’t until April 16, Gulash said attorney discussions regarding the case are expected to be scheduled ahead of that appearance.

Kot in July pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial. He is free on $150,000 bond, but a judge last summer denied his request to be allowed to drive. If convicted, Kot would face up to 10 years in prison, as much as a $10,000 fine or both.