New Haven Police have identified the driver of a vehicle who is accused of fleeing after hitting a scooter and killing an 18-year-old on Friday.
A 15-year-old is still fighting for his life.
The family of 18-year-old Christopher Franco tells NBC Connecticut that they were celebrating Christopher getting his first paycheck Friday. They say he immediately opened a bank account and got his permit.
Now, they’re mourning his life after he died at the hospital from his injuries.
Police say the crash happened around 10:30 pm Friday on the Tomlinson Bridge.
Christopher’s family says he and a 15-year-old friend were on a motorized scooter when they were hit by a driver who left the scene.
They say they’re so thankful for the good Samaritans who noticed a damaged vehicle leaving the scene of the crash.
Local
Those folks led police to 55-year-old Judy Gomez, of East Haven, who police say hit the teens with her car.
Authorities say she is currently in police custody and will be in court in New Haven for arraignment on Monday morning.
We’re told the 15-year-old remains in critical condition.
Franco’s loved ones wish this was all just a nightmare that they could wake up from, as they lit candles at the crash sight and hung up a picture of the recent Common Ground High School student.
Just footsteps from where they were mourning, police had marked evidence on the Tomlinson Bridge overnight.
“Life is very unfair. You know, He’s my little brother. Never touched no drugs. Always doing the right things. It’s hard to be a good kid in this neighborhood and he was one of them,” said his brother Miguel Granda.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash to please call them at 203-946-6316 as they continue the investigation.
The family asked us to share this information:
Vigil at Common Ground High School in New Haven Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.
Remembrance from 3- 4 p.m. for family members, 4-7 p.m. for the public at the Funeraria Washington Memorial in North Haven, CT
