Connecticut Youth Basketball Coach Arrested After Allegedly Hitting Parent With Car

A Connecticut youth girls’ basketball coach has been arrested after allegedly striking a parent with his car following a heated argument during a postgame handshake. The shocking incident was captured on surveillance video at Horace Porter School in Columbia and has raised serious concerns about safety in youth sports.

Police identified the driver as 29-year-old Bryan Baez-Rivera, a coach for the visiting Windham girls’ basketball team. The altercation reportedly began after a misunderstanding between players during the postgame handshake. The disagreement escalated into a verbal confrontation between Baez-Rivera and the parent of a player.

Surveillance footage shows Baez-Rivera’s white sedan accelerating and colliding with the parent, who was flung onto the hood before falling to the ground. Witnesses said the victim sustained a broken nose, a concussion and other injuries. A child was seen rushing to the injured individual as the car sped away.

Baez-Rivera later contacted police, claiming he fled because multiple people began chasing his vehicle, and he feared for his safety and that of his young passengers. He told authorities that the victim walked into his path and the collision was unavoidable. However, police reviewed surveillance footage and stated Baez-Rivera made no effort to avoid hitting the individual.

The coach was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment, breach of peace and two counts of risk of injury to a minor. He was released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on January 23. The Department of Children and Families is also investigating the case.

It has also been revealed that Baez-Rivera has a felony record, raising questions about how he was allowed to coach. Local officials have not confirmed whether background checks were conducted before his appointment.

This incident has prompted calls for stricter oversight in youth sports and heightened concerns about aggression among adults at children’s games. Authorities continue to investigate the matter to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.