Man Suspected in Crash That Killed 2 People in Stamford in Custody

A man has been arrested in connection to a December pedestrian crash that left two people dead in Stamford, police said.

Police said the two people were hit around 2:05 a.m. at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Main Street on Dec. 3.

According to the initial police investigation, 25-year-old Giovanni Vega Benis and 25-year-old Yuliana Arias Lozano, both of Stamford, were walking across Washington Boulevard when a 2022 Mercedes hit them. They were believed to have been in the crosswalk, but it’s not clear what the status of the pedestrian control signal was at the time.

Police said both pedestrians were thrown into the northbound lanes of Washington Boulevard. They were taken to Stamford Hospital, where they died.

After obtaining a warrant on Wednesday, police took Michael Talbot into custody on Jan. 4 after learning he was in Florida visiting family. He was held in Florida and extradited back to Stamford on Friday, according to authorities.

Talbot was detained on the day of the accident, but criminal charges hadn't been filed yet.

He now faces charges including two counts of second-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, felony evading responsibility, operating under the influence, and reckless operation. Police said Talbot is being held on a $1 million bond.

He will be arraigned in Stamford Superior Court on Jan. 17.

“My thoughts and deepest condolences remain with the families of Giovani Vega-Benis and Yuliana Arias Lozano as they continue to seek justice for their loved ones. I commend the Stamford Police Department for their due diligence and outstanding work, and I want to thank the State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance throughout this investigation,” Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons said in a statement.

Anyone who has further information is asked to call the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad at (203) 977-4712.