Alvin Gaston Charged In Fitchburg Hit-And-Run That Left Young Mother Seriously Hurt
FITCHBURG (CBS) – Fitchburg Police say the driver wanted in a hit and run earlier in the week has turned himself in.
Forty-two-year-old Alvin Gaston, of Ayer, is charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident.
Fitchburg police say Gaston was driving down Water Street Monday night when he struck 22-year-old Samantha Dayao and, ultimately, left the scene. Dayao was walking home from work when she was hit.
As of Thursday evening, Dayao is recovering in the hospital with serious injuries.
"They left her laying out there like an animal," said Dayao's stepfather, Jose Gonzalez. "She is a sweet girl that does not try to do harm to anybody."
Gonzalez said Dayao has multiple broken bones in her legs and arms. She has also undergone the first of many surgeries on her face.
"She's in a lot of pain right now," said Gonzalez. "Just pray, because she needs that."
The family has created a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses.
Police said Gaston has been charged but not arrested. As to the inability to make a formal arrest, Fitchburg police point to a Massachusetts law that requires police to see this kind of alleged crime themselves in real-time.
Gaston will appear in court on a summons at a later date.