Driver gets 6-year sentence for hit-and-run that killed Stamford ShopRite cashier
It came after Salvatore Longo took a deal in May, pleading guilty to negligent homicide with a motor vehicle and evading responsibility in the death of Marie Jean-Charles, a beloved supermarket cashier.
More Stories
A Greenwich man was sentenced to six years in prison Thursday for a hit-and-run crash in Stamford that killed a 74-year-old woman as she crossed the street to her job.
It came after Salvatore Longo took a deal in May, pleading guilty to negligent homicide with a motor vehicle and evading responsibility in the death of Marie Jean-Charles, a beloved supermarket cashier.
In exchange, a Stamford Superior Court judge handed down a sentence of 12 years suspended after Longo serves six, followed by five years of probation.
If Longo violates that, he would face up to six more years in prison.
“He's extremely remorseful,” Longo’s attorney, Lindy Urso, said outside the courthouse.
The crash happened on Nov. 21, 2023, just before 6:15 a.m., as Jean-Charles crossed West Main Street near Alvord Lane to get to ShopRite, where she worked for 25 years.
“She had a fantastic customer base. Customers loved her. Even if there was an open register nearby, customers wanted to wait in line just to speak with her and have their groceries rung up by her,” assistant manager Travis Wilson told News 12 that day.
PRIOR COVERAGE: ‘Really devastating.’ 74-year-old ShopRite cashier killed in hit-and-run by work
Stamford police arrest driver in hit-and-run death of beloved ShopRite cashier
Judge keeps bond for alleged hit-and-run driver at $750,000 as horrific details revealed
Jean-Charles was just steps away from making it to ShopRite safely when Longo's car slammed into her and kept going. Police quickly released traffic camera stills of the wanted car and said tips poured in from the public, naming both the type of car—a 2003 Acura TL—and the suspect.
According to Longo's arrest warrant, he admitted to police that he hit something but said he believed it was a shopping cart. The warrant also said police found Jean-Charles' blood and DNA on Longo's car, and reconstruction of the crash determined Longo was speeding, driving at least 50 mph in a 30-mph zone.
Longo didn’t speak at his sentencing, but Urso said his client is remorseful.
“He had no intention that morning of hitting anybody, let along killing anybody. It was very dark out—you know, it was pitch black in the morning. She was outside the crosswalk. It was an accident until he made that absurd decision to take off, and this is the consequence,” Urso told News 12.
In court, the judge also imposed extra probation conditions for after Longo serves his time. They include participating in two victims impact panels and completing 100 hours of community service.
RELATED: 'A special woman with a heart of gold.' Co-workers mourn ShopRite cashier killed in hit-and-run
Candlelight vigil honors beloved Stamford ShopRite worker killed in a hit-and-run
