New Hampshire

Off-Duty Police Officer Accused in Weekend Hit-and-Run

An off-duty police officer has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run accident involving a pedestrian over the weekend in New Hampshire.

Manchester police said Officer Steven Cornacchia, also a Manchester resident, was behind the wheel of a black Ford Mustang on Sunday around 1:20 a.m. when he hit a 22-year-old woman as he turned onto West Merrimack Street from Elm Street.

He turned himself in on Tuesday morning and was charged with conduct after an accident based on the fact that he left the scene without notifying authorities.

Police said the victim was hit on her right side, which caused her to fall to the ground with minor injuries to her leg and minor abrasions. Cornacchia allegedly stopped to check on the victim before fleeing the area. The victim's friend recorded his license plate.

Cornacchia, 31, was immediately placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of both a criminal and internal investigation. However, following his arrest he was suspended without pay. He's been with the Manchester Police Department since 2013.

He was released on $1,000 personal recognizance bail and is due in court again on June 20. It isn't immediately clear if he has an attorney.

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