A Connecticut youth basketball coach has been arrested after allegedly running over a parent with his car following a dispute after a girls’ basketball game. The shocking event took place on January 9 at Horace Porter School in Columbia and has sparked concerns about safety in youth sports.
Police identified the suspect as 29-year-old Bryan Baez-Rivera, who coached the Windham girls’ basketball team. The altercation reportedly began after a disagreement between players during the postgame handshake, which escalated into a heated exchange between Baez-Rivera and a parent.
Surveillance video shows Baez-Rivera accelerating his car into the parent, launching the individual onto the hood before they tumbled to the ground. Witnesses reported that a child immediately rushed to help the injured person, while others tried to chase Baez-Rivera’s vehicle as it fled the scene.
Baez-Rivera later called police, claiming he left due to fear for his safety after several people began pursuing his car. He stated the parent had stepped into his path, making the collision unavoidable. However, police reviewing the surveillance footage determined Baez-Rivera made no effort to avoid striking the individual.
He 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. Baez-Rivera was released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court on January 23. The Department of Children and Families is also investigating the matter.
Further reports revealed Baez-Rivera has a felony record, sparking questions about how he was allowed to volunteer as a coach. Local officials have not clarified whether background checks were performed before his appointment.
This alarming event has renewed calls for more comprehensive background screenings and stronger safety measures in youth sports programs to protect young athletes and their families.
