Man Pleads Not Guilty to Additional Charges in Fatal Hit & Run in Springfield

A 21-year-old accused of hitting two pedestrians, including one who later died, in Springfield this summer has pleaded not guilty to three additional counts.

James Ribeiro answered the charges Tuesday in Windsor Superior Court of two felony counts of leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury, and a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence. Ribeiro  already pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of leaving the scene of a crash with a fatality resulting in June.

According to Springfield police, Ribeiro struck and killed 37-year-old Steven Lapre and seriously injured 31-year-old Pamela Runnels while they were crossing the street near McDonalds on June 9. Ribeiro told police after later turning himself in that he had glanced down at his cellphone and when he looked back up “it was too late.” The new misdemeanor count comes as a result of Ribeiro allegedly telling police he had smoked marijuana prior to turning himself in.

Ribeiro is currently free on $25,000 bail and is scheduled to appear back in court Jan. 3.