WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — A now-former Waterbury city official has turned himself into police after being named a suspect in a hit-and-run that critically injured a 17-year-old boy, according to police.
Police named John Egan, 58, a suspect in the hit-and-run that occurred last week near West Main Street and Highland Avenue. Waterbury’s Board of Alderman members confirmed to News 8 that Egan was the city’s zoning commission chairman. The city’s website now shows that the seat is vacant.
The teen, identified by family members as Bryan Calle, was riding a motorscooter just after midnight Friday when he was hit by a maroon 2022 Cadillac XT5, which police said took off. The vehicle was later found unoccupied and taken into Waterbury Police Department custody. Police said Egan is the vehicle’s registered owner, and authorities believe he was behind the wheel.
Police said Egan is the vehicle’s registered owner, and authorities believe he was behind the wheel.
He has posted a $50,000 court-set bond and is scheduled to appear in court on June 12. He has been charged with evading responsibility causing serious physical injury or death, and failure to yield while turning left.
Martha Ortiz, Calle’s cousin, said he moved to the U.S. from Ecuador four months ago with dreams of going to school. Ortiz said he was on his way from working at a local restaurant.
“Be a man, showing up! This is the hardest part because if he would stop, would stop the car before, Bryan would have a better chance,” Ortiz said. “He’s such a good boy, friendly.”
The teen remains in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, police said.
“We don’t think there was anything intentional involved,” the victim’s attorney Ioannis Kaloidis said. “There’s no visible bruising, but he did hit his head when he went down.”
Calle’s family said his parents are trying to obtain visas to travel from Ecuador and be with their son.
“The doctors are waiting, counting the minutes every day,” Ortiz said. ” They say they can’t wait so long. They just have a short period to wait for them.”
The family is setting up a GoFunMe page to help with travel expenses and Calle’s care.
Egan’s attorney said they have no comment.
Anyone with information on the hit-and-run is asked to contact the Waterbury Police Department’s Crash Reconstruction Unit at (203) 346-3975.
The video below aired in our 11 p.m. newscast on May 31, 2023.