Monroe driver charged in fatal hit-skip accident
10/19/2010MONROE — A Monroe man has been charged with a fatal hit-skip accident in Frenchtown Township early Sunday, authorities said.
Brandon W. Baia, 31, was being held in the Monroe County jail in lieu of $10,000 bond on a charge of failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in serious impairment or death. His initial appearance in District Court is scheduled Oct. 28.
Mr. Baia allegedly was behind the wheel of a minivan that hit and killed Newport resident Anthony J. Stemen, 51, who was northbound on his tricycle at 1:30 a.m. on North Monroe Street north of Nadeau Road. Mr. Stemen was struck from behind and was pronounced dead at Mercy Memorial Hospital. The minivan left the scene at a high speed, police said.