Driver Pleads Guilty in Hit-and-Run Accident That Killed Father of Nicki Minaj

A man pleaded guilty to committing the hit-and-run accident that killed the father of rapper Nicki Minaj on Long Island.

The driver, Charles Polevich, admitted he left the scene of an accident in February 2021 that killed Robert Maraj while he was walking in Mineola along a road. Polevich first got out of his vehicle and looked at Maraj while he was on the ground, but then he drove away, did not call the authorities, parked his vehicle in a garage and covered it with a tarp. This resulted in charges of tampering with evidence (via concealment of the vehicle) in addition to the hit and run charges he faced.

Maraj died of his injuries at the hospital the day after the accident.

For his guilty plea, the 71-year-old Polevich will be incarcerated for no more than one year, will have his license suspended and must complete community service. Prosecutors and the victim’s wife were displeased with the sentence.

Drivers must remain at the scene of an accident

Drivers who commit hit-and-run accidents will face criminal charges in addition to potential civil lawsuits when they are found by the authorities. Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime, and when the accident involves serious injury or death it could rise to felony level, meaning potentially large fines, prison time and loss of a driver’s license.

For more information about the legal options you have if you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia LLP.