Watch CBS News

Father, Son Deemed Heroes After Catching Driver Accused Of Hit-And-Run

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- A brave father and son witnessed a hit and run in New Haven on Monday, after which the driver sped off. The duo went after him and held him for 20 minutes until police arrived.

For Ali Chaudhary, the 20 minutes he and his dad held the driver seemed like an eternity. Ali, and his father Sajjad 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.

"We get out of the car, I asked him for the keys, he didn't want to give me the keys, so I just snatched the keys out of his hand, and then my father was the one who was telling him to put his hands on the car and stay there," Ali told WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau.

Ali said the man wrestled to get away and they were uncertain who this man was, or what his capabilities were.

"We didn't know if he had a gun. My father was really nervous about him trying to go in the car," he recalled.

They managed to keep the man out of the car until police arrived. New Haven police have nothing but high praise for the two brave men.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.