Police: Father, Son Catch Driver Accused In New Haven Hit-And-Run
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Haven police are hailing a father and son as heroes after they helped catch a driver accused in a hit-and-run crash.
Sajjad Chaudhary and his son, Ali Chaudhary, saw a black Saturn strike 34-year-old Charlotte Fox, of New Haven, around 7:30 p.m. Monday near Whalley Avenue before speeding off, police said.
The father and son, who work near the scene, followed the driver, later identified as David Diaz, eight blocks away to a parking lot.
Cellphone video shows Sajjad Chaudhary ordering Diaz to put his hands on the car while his son calls 911.
WARNING: FOUL LANGUAGE
"It was truly as if this guy was meant to be a police officer," Officer David Hartman told WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau. "His commands to this person were stern and they were very, very deliberate."
Hartman called the Chaudharys "true heroes of the city."
"These two had the wherewithal and the strength to confront this person and they detained him until officers arrived," Hartman said.
Diaz is charged with felony evading with a motor vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol and related charges. Police said responding officers smelled alcohol on his breath and that his speech was slurred.
Fox is being treated for serious, but non-life threatening injuries.
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