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Driver pleads guilty in hit-and-run crash that killed Nicki Minaj’s father

NEW YORK — A New York man pleaded guilty on Friday to two charges stemming from the 2021 hit-and-run death of rapper Nicki Minaj’s father.

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Charles Polevich, 71, pleaded guilty to felony charges of leaving the scene of a fatality and tampering with physical evidence, People reported. A Nassau County judge said Polevich will receive no more than a year in jail, according to The Associated Press.

Robert Maraj, 64, was struck by a vehicle while walking on a road in Mineola on Feb. 13, 2021. He died the next day, authorities said.

In a state court on Long Island, Polevich, a businessman, admitted leaving the scene of the accident.

Nassau County Detective Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said in a news conference in February 2021 that Polevich was driving a 1992 Volvo station wagon, a car that’s “more distinctive than modern cars.” Using video footage from neighboring cameras, police were able to trace the vehicle to Polevich’s address, People reported.

>> Robert Maraj, father of rapper Nicki Minaj, killed in hit-and-run, police say

Polevich initially exited his vehicle and looked at Robert Maraj but then drove away, the AP reported. Polevich did not call 911 and drove his car into a garage and covered it with a tarp, according to the news organization.

Polevich was originally facing up to 11 years in prison, People reported. He will be sentenced on Aug. 3, according to the AP.

The victim’s widow, Carol Maraj, told reporters she was “not happy” with the planned sentence, the AP reported. Carol Maraj is suing Polevich. Nicki Minaj also expressed disappointment with the plea deal.