A Connecticut youth basketball coach is facing multiple charges after allegedly striking a parent with his car following a dispute at a girls’ basketball game. The alarming incident occurred on January 9 at Horace Porter School in Columbia, drawing attention to safety concerns at youth sporting events.
Police identified the driver as 29-year-old Bryan Baez-Rivera, coach of a visiting Windham girls’ basketball team. According to authorities, tensions escalated between Baez-Rivera and a parent after a misunderstanding during the postgame handshake. The argument continued into the school’s parking lot, where the situation took a dangerous turn.
Surveillance video shows Baez-Rivera accelerating his car directly into the parent, who was thrown onto the hood before falling to the ground. Witnesses said a child rushed to help the injured person, while others attempted to pursue the fleeing vehicle.
Baez-Rivera later contacted law enforcement, claiming he fled the scene out of fear for his safety after several people began chasing his car. He stated that the parent had stepped into his path, leaving him unable to avoid the collision. However, police determined through video evidence that Baez-Rivera made no attempt to steer away from 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. 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 has also opened an investigation into the matter.
Further reports revealed that Baez-Rivera has a felony criminal record, raising serious questions about how he was allowed to coach a youth sports team. It remains unclear whether proper background checks were conducted before his appointment.
This troubling event has sparked renewed calls for tighter regulations and background checks for volunteer coaches in youth sports, highlighting the need for stronger safeguards to protect children and families.
