Friends and family members held two candle light vigils for 18-year-old Eric Delage Tuesday evening.
Delage was struck by two vehicles on Monday night in Waterbury while riding his bike. Neither vehicle remained at the scene, and Delage died from his injuries.
Friends gathered under the Silver Street bridge to light candles and remember Delage. Friends say he had attended the Enlightenment School, which is part of the Waterbury Public Schools.
A later vigil saw a release of raw emotion as Delage's mother, sister and other family members joined a group of neighborhood friends lighting candles near the accident site.
"He was a sweetheart, he was a sweetheart," said Elizabeth Delage, Eric's sister.
She was still in disbelief, a day after police say 30-year-old Israel Diaz, struck Delage with his 2002 Chevy Trailblazer. A second driver, believed to be in a silver minivan, struck Delage a second time. Police found Diaz late Monday night and arrested him on multiple charges. He was arraigned Tuesday morning at Superior Court and is being held on $1 Million bond.
Delage's mother, Elaine, had a message for that second driver on Tuesday night.
"I just wish you would turn yourself in--you're tearing my heart out of my chest. It just hurts so much. Please turn yourself in," she said.
His sister hugged their mother as they remembered Eric.