Greenwich man pleads guilty to Stamford double fatal crash

Authorities say Michael Talbot was driving when he struck Giovani Vega Benis and Yuliana Arias nearly one year ago as they crossed Washington Boulevard around 2 a.m.

Rose Shannon, Frank Recchia and Nicole Alarcon Soares

Dec 1, 2023, 5:08 PM

Updated 237 days ago

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A Greenwich man who was charged in a double fatal hit-and-run crash in Stamford pleaded guilty Friday.
Authorities say Michael Talbot was driving when he struck Giovani Vega Benis and Yuliana Arias nearly one year ago as they crossed Washington Boulevard around 2 a.m.
Talbot faces between 10 to 15 years in prison.
"We still don't agree with the sentence that he was given. We do think that he should have more than that because we don't think it's fair that he's [going to] get 10-15 years for both murders when it should be for each," said Benis’ cousin Ruth Sanchez.
Officials said Talbot fled the scene and was arrested after he was found hiding behind a shed nearby.
Police later said Talbot was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana and driving 86 mph in a 25 at the time of the crash.
Talbot pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter, one count of evading causing death, one count of operating under the influence, and one count of reckless driving.
He will be sentenced on March 20.
After taking the plea, Talbot made a brief statement where he expressed remorse and apologized to the family, specifically to Vega Benis' children. Talbot also said what has been taken cannot be given back, but he is ready to accept the consequences of his actions.
"It was just a lot of mixed emotions for all of us," said Sanchez.
Talbot pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter, one count of evading causing death, one count of operating under the influence, and one count of reckless driving.
"No matter how many years they give him nothing's going to bring back Gio and Yuliana," said Sanchez.


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