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Teen Hit and Run Victim Remembered At Vigils

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 Waterb...

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.

"How do you not have a heart to stop after hitting somebody. Like--just a cold hearted person," said Elizabeth Delage.
Friends who gathered under the bridge also shared memories and thoughts.
"I'm very sad, I'm upset, I'm in shock and I think everybody is," said Danielle Mangini, Eric's friend.
Delage was pronounced dead after he was taken to the hospital Monday night.
"That was my friend and he has a piece of my heart that's always going to be with me until the day that I die, 'til the day that I go away and I can see him up there, rest in peace man," said friend, Eric Evon.
Delage was an avid fisherman and planned to join the military according to his sister, who says the loss of her brother is one she can barely comprehend.
"I just feel completely numb. I can't believe it, I just still can't believe it."
The Delage family is seeking funds for funeral expenses and has set up a bank account under Eric Delage's name at "Santander" bank. The account number is 9990653976 and the routing number is 23172691.
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