Man jailed for killing Nicki Minaj's father in hit and run accident

Maraj, Nicki's father, had been walking in Mineola, Long Island, in the evening when he was 'was struck by a northbound vehicle' [Courtesy]

Police were able to trace Polevich's 1992 Volvo Station Wagon back to his address after reviewing footage from neighbouring cameras.

"He was absolutely aware of what happened. He got out of the car and he looked at the deceased, got into his car, and made the conscious decision to leave instead of dialing 911," Nassau County Police Detective Steven Fitzpatrick said at a news conference.

In May, Polevich admitted to leaving the crash scene in the Suburban New York neighbourhood, pleading guilty.

"Maraj, who police previously said was Minaj's father, had been walking in Mineola, Long Island, in the evening when he was 'was struck by a northbound, undescribed, vehicle that left the scene of the accident'," CNN reported.

Nicki Minaj has recently opened up about the tragic loss [Courtesy]

Marc Gann, an attorney for Polevich, wrote in a statement that, "Mr Polevich is extremely remorseful for any role he may have played in Mr. Maraj's death. There are no allegations of substance use or abuse as causative of his conduct and it is our belief that a medical heart issue contributed to Mr. Polevich's conduct."

Minaj has opened up about the tragic loss in the recent past, calling it "the most devastating loss of my life."

" I find myself wanting to call him all the time. More so now that he's gone. May his soul rest in paradise. He was very loved & will be very missed," Minaj wrote on an official message on her website in May.