Connecticut Basketball Coach Charged After Hitting Parent With Car Following Game Dispute

A youth basketball coach in Connecticut is facing multiple charges after allegedly hitting a parent with his car following a heated argument during a girls’ basketball game. The incident took place on January 9 at Horace Porter School in Columbia, raising concerns about safety and conduct in youth sports environments.

The coach, identified as 29-year-old Bryan Baez-Rivera of Windham, reportedly became involved in a verbal altercation with a parent after the game between third and fourth-grade girls. Surveillance footage from the school’s parking lot shows Baez-Rivera accelerating his vehicle and striking the parent, who was thrown onto the hood of the car before hitting the ground.

The parent sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Witnesses described the situation as escalating quickly after the game ended, with Baez-Rivera fleeing the scene. He later contacted police, claiming he left due to concerns for his safety after others began chasing his vehicle.

Police reviewed the surveillance video and concluded that Baez-Rivera made no attempt to avoid the collision. 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.

It was also revealed that Baez-Rivera has a felony record, raising questions about how he was allowed to serve as a youth basketball coach. Local officials have not clarified whether background checks were conducted before he assumed the coaching role.

This incident has sparked renewed discussions about the need for stricter screening processes for youth sports coaches and heightened awareness of adult behavior at children’s sporting events. Community leaders and parents are calling for immediate action to prevent similar occurrences in the future.