Suspect arrested in Waterbury hit-and-run that critically injured scooter rider

WATERBURY, CT (WFSB) - A suspect has been arrested following a hit-and-run in Waterbury that left a 17-year-old with life-threatening injuries.

Police arrested 58-year-old John Egan of Waterbury in the case.

Egan, who city officials confirmed is the chair of the Zoning Commission for Waterbury, turned himself in Wednesday evening.

Police said Egan was charged with evading responsibility causing serious injury or death and failure to yield while turning left.

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

Eyewitness News couldn’t reach the mayor for confirmation that Egan has resigned, but Egan’s name has taken off the Waterbury city website.

Vice Chair of the Zoning Commission Ernest Brunelli said he has been asked to take over the chair’s duties.

“I was told by the mayor staff,” Brunelli said. “Yes until the investigation has concluded.”

Police said the teen victim was hit while he rode his scooter near West Main Street and Highland Avenue on Friday night.

He was hit shortly before 12:05 a.m.

Police found the victim lying in the roadway.

Brian Calle was last listed in critical condition at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford.

The vehicle that struck the teen, a maroon, 2022 Cadillac XT5, was later found by officers, police said.

Marta Ortiz is Calle’s cousin and said the teen is originally from Ecuador. She said Calle was driving home from work when he got hit.

“He was working, he’s trying to get a better life,” Ortiz said. “And now somebody came and destroyed his dreams.”

Ortiz said Calle’s parents are trying to come to the United States from Ecuador to see their son but things aren’t looking good.

Neighbors witnessed the aftermath of the crash.

“[I] saw a bunch of cop cars and the ambulance taking the guy away. After that I saw a bike in pieces.” said Tom Giordano of Waterbury.

Giordano says scooters, street bikes, ATVs, and other motorized vehicles are constantly driving through the intersection.

Another neighbor agreed, and told Eyewitness News that the area was not safe to live near.

“This is the worst intersection I’ve ever seen,” said Waterbury resident Jesus Casino.

Casino said there should be more signage or street lights to reduce speeding.

“There’s a lot of accidents because there’s no lights, especially coming out of there. I live here and there’s too many accidents, you can’t even make a left. You have to go right,” Casino said.

Channel 3 reached out to Waterbury police to find out how many accidents happen at that intersection, but have yet to hear back.

Waterbury police said their crash reconstruction unit has been investigating the incident.

Anyone with information about it was asked to contact Waterbury police at 203-346-3975.

Copyright 2023 WFSB. All rights reserved.