Nicki Minaj has said losing her father has been “The Most Devastating Loss” she has ever faced.
Robert Maraj died in February after being struck by a car in a hit-and-run incident, and on Friday (14.05.21), his daughter Nicki broke her silence on the tragedy.
Nicki said she still isn’t ready to talk about the loss in detail, but offered fans an update on her mental state in a post on her website.
She wrote: “Tho I can’t really bring myself to discuss the passing of my father as yet; I can say it has been the most devastating loss of my life.
I find myself wanting to call him all the time. More so now that he’s gone. Life is funny that way. May his soul rest in paradise. He was very loved & will be very missed. (sic)”
Robert passed away on February 12 when he was struck by a car between Roslyn Road and Raff Avenue in Nassau County, New York, with the driver of the vehicle that hit him allegedly fleeing the scene.
Charles Polevich, 70, later turned himself in to police in connection with the incident and was charged with two felonies, including leaving the scene of an incident involving death of a person, and tampering with or suppressing physical evidence.
And in March, Nicki’s mother Carol Maraj filed documents to sue Polevich in state Supreme Court, where she is seeking $150 million.
Confirming the news on social media, her attorney Ben Crump wrote: “Paul Napoli and I have filed a $150 million lawsuit in the hit-and-run death of Robert Maraj, @nickiminaj’s father.
“He was fatally injured in a hit-and-run accident on February 12, 2021, when he was struck by a car being driven by Charles Polevich as Mr. Maraj walked along a Long Island road. After striking Maraj, Polevich left the accident scene and did not call for emergency services or render aid to Maraj.
“He was not only irresponsible and negligent, but more concerned about running away and hiding than seeking help.
“Polevich’s behavior was criminal, cowardly, and immoral. We will hold him responsible for his reckless actions that led to Robert Maraj’s death! (sic)”
According to the criminal complaint filed against Polevich, the man allegedly hit Robert with his 1992 white Volvo, and police say he “then exited his vehicle, stood over the victim, asked him if ‘he was ok’, walked and returned to his vehicle and fled the scene”.
Police also allege Polevich then drove to his home “avoiding intersections and did conceal his vehicle in the detached garage at his residence”.
At the time of his arrest, Polevich’s bail was set at $250,000, and he was ordered to surrender his passport, as well as having his travel restricted to New York.