Top Stories of 2013: Officer Fired, Charged After Alleged Hit-and-Run

Stephen Coco was heading home from a social gathering on March 22 when he allegedly struck two Bedford teenagers with his unmarked Manchester Police SUV and continued to his nearby house.

The investigation led to his doorsteps, and court documents show that Bedford Police gathered more than enough evidence to connect the 17-year MPD veteran to the incident.

Days later, Coco was fired and then formally arrested and charged with two felony counts of conduct after an accident.

Though he will still receive his state pension, Coco continues to seek legal relief in the case.

An arbitrator, however, ruled Coco's firing was justified and a Hillsborough County judge rejected a plea deal that would have reduced the charges against the former Manchester detective sergeant.

Coco's trial is set to begin March 3.

Read more on the story here:

• Fired Police Officer Charged in Hit-and-Run
• Stephen Coco Waves Probable Cause Hearing
• Court Docs: Fired Officer Left Social Gathering Minutes Prior to Hit-and-Run
• Fired Manchester Officer Will Still Receive Pension
• Charges Against Stephen Coco Likely to Be Reduced
• Stephen Coco Fighting Firing?
• Judge Rejects Accused Cop's Plea Deal
• Justification of Stephen Coco Firing Determined by Arbitrator