Driver in Hit-and-Run Crash That Killed Nicki Minaj’s Father Reportedly Receives 1-Year Sentence

The hit-and-run driver who previously pleaded guilty in connection with a fatal crash that killed Nicki Minaj’s father was sentenced on Wednesday.

According to a report from TMZ, the driver—Charles Polevich—was sentenced to serve a year behind bars on Wednesday. Additionally, Polevich’s driver’s license will be suspended for a period of six months and he will be required to pay a fine of $5,000.

Polevich previously pleaded guilty to charges in connection with leaving the scene of the fatal February 2021 crash in New York. He also admitted to evidence tampering.

Per a CBS News report in May, Judge Howard Sturim—who also presided over Wednesday’s sentencing—said at the time that Polevich would not be sentenced to anything longer than a year in jail. This decision was met with criticism from Robert Maraj’s family, including widow Carol Maraj, as well as the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.

A spokesperson for the latter, notably, said at the time that the office disagreed with the judge’s sentencing assessment due to the “severity of the defendant’s conduct.” As previously reported, Robert—who was 64 at the time of his death—was walking when he was hit by a car driven by Polevich, who initially drove away from the scene of the crash and is later alleged to have attempted to disguise the appearance of the vehicle.