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Waterbury hit-and-run suspect charged, teen fighting for life: Police

The suspect that turned himself in to the police is John Egan, 58, of Waterbury.

WATERBURY, Conn. — A 17-year-old Waterbury teenager is fighting for his life and the suspect in the incident has been arrested.

Waterbury Police said Bryan Calle, 17, of Waterbury, rode his scooter around midnight last Friday when he was hit by a car on West Main Street by Highland Avenue.

Police said the car drove away and left Calle on the road unconscious.

"He's fighting for his life, said Ioannis Kaloidis, attorney for Calle's family.

Police have arrested the suspect John Egan, 58, of Waterbury. Egan is well-known in the community. He was the chairman of Waterbury's Zoning Commission.

Investigators assigned to the WPD Crash Reconstruction Unit (CRU) obtained an arrest warrant charging Egan in connection with this hit-and-run incident. Egan was determined to be the registered owner and operator of the vehicle involved in this incident. Egan voluntarily turned himself in this evening at Waterbury police headquarters and has been charged with Evading Responsibility Causing Serious Physical Injury or Death and Failure to Yield While Turning Left.

The arrest warrant showed Egan had been drinking for roughly 10 hours prior to the incident and had 16 alcoholic beverages.

Egan posted a $50,000 court-set bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in court on June 12. 

Calle was rushed to Connecticut Children's Medical Center where doctors are trying to save his life. His cousin, Martha Ortiz who owned a barber shop in Waterbury said all Calle wanted to do was to make some money and start going to school.

"He’s such a good boy. Friendly. He’s a very nice guy. He came hoping to get a better life by going to school," said Ortiz of Waterbury.

Kaloidis said the incident appeared to be accidental and his focus is to get Calle's parents from Ecuador to the United States in case things take a turn for the worst.

"This was a head injury. I believe he was wearing a helmet. There’s no visible bruising but he did hit his head when he went down. I guess he hit it hard enough, it’s created some severe swelling on the brain," added Kaloidis.

Time is running out for Calle to receive the proper treatment since doctors told Ortiz many procedures cannot be done until his parents arrive in the country. Ortiz had a message for Egan.

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"Be a person. Be a man. Show up. This is the hardest part because if he did stop, Bryan would have a better chance. It was just too long. We don’t know what time somebody called," added Ortiz.

A GoFundMe has been made organized by Felix Calle, to help assist the family. If you'd like to donate click here

Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to contact the WPD Crash Reconstruction Unit at (203) 346-3975.

Editors Note: This article has been updated to include an accurate photo of the victim.

Carmen Chau is an anchor and reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at cchau@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

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