HARTFORD, Conn. — Court records reveal that the man charged in a deadly Christmas Day hit-and-run crash in Hartford had a history of dangerous driving incidents and was already facing multiple criminal cases at the time of the fatal collision.
Tyron Davis, 26, of Manchester, was arraigned Wednesday in state Superior Court in Hartford on charges including manslaughter in connection with the crash that killed 14-year-old Malachi James, a student at Middletown High School, and injured several of the teen’s family members.
Prior Crash and Extensive Criminal History
According to court documents, the Hartford crash was not the first serious incident involving Davis. Records show he had 11 pending cases in the same courthouse, including charges tied to a Dec. 19, 2023, crash in Windsor that left another driver severely injured.
At the time of the Hartford incident, Davis was out on a combined $325,000 bond for those cases. The Windsor crash alone carried a bond of $75,000, according to court records.
Following Wednesday’s arraignment, a judge set Davis’ bond at $2.5 million, citing the severity of the charges and his prior record.
Details of the Windsor Crash
Windsor police said Davis was driving a Tesla during the 2023 crash and attempted to pass another vehicle by entering the oncoming lane. Data recovered from the vehicle showed Davis was traveling 114 miles per hour in a 40-mph zone just seconds before impact. At the moment of collision, the vehicle was still moving at 57 mph.
The woman injured in that crash suffered extensive trauma, including fractured bones, internal bleeding, and facial injuries. She has undergone at least five surgeries, with another procedure as recently as 2025, according to her attorney.
“I was amazed she wasn’t killed,” said attorney James Armentano, who represents the injured woman. “When she read about this recent arrest, it was heartbreaking. This was always her fear.”
Civil Lawsuits and License Suspension
Following the Windsor crash, the injured driver filed a civil lawsuit against Davis and a separate lawsuit against Hertz, the rental car company that provided the Tesla. The suit alleges negligent entrustment, claiming Davis’ driver’s license was suspended at the time of the crash.
Under state law, rental companies are only required to visually check a driver’s license and are not required to verify whether it is suspended.
In an unusual turn, Davis later filed a lawsuit against the injured woman, alleging she caused the crash. Armentano said that claim directly contradicts police findings and arrest-warrant evidence.
Family Reacts After Fatal Hartford Crash
Family members of Malachi James expressed outrage after Wednesday’s court appearance, calling the fatal crash preventable.
“This man has exhibited this behavior before,” said Malachi’s uncle, Spenser McGhee. “There was a breakdown in our system. This guy should have never been on the street.”
McGhee said he plans to attend every future court hearing to ensure accountability for his nephew and the other victims injured in the crash.
What Happens Next
Davis remains in custody on the newly set bond as prosecutors continue to pursue the case. Court officials have not released additional details about future hearings, but further proceedings are expected in the coming weeks.
The case has renewed scrutiny over bail decisions, repeat dangerous driving offenses, and gaps in oversight involving rental vehicles and suspended licenses.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with additional information related to the case to contact law enforcement.
