Six months after a shocking moment caught on tape, police believe they've found the driver who sped off after knocking 82-year-old Juana Hostos to the ground unconscious at a Stratford gas station, an incident that landed her in the hospital for nearly a month.
"She was just tossed like a rag doll," said the Hostos' daughter, Miriam Parsons.
Parsons spoke outside of court saying her mother has memory loss as a result of what happened and must now walk with a cane.
"It breaks my heart because my mother has always been an active person," said Parsons.
28-year-old Michael Hainsworth faced a slew of charges in Bridgeport Superior Court on Thursday including Reckless Endangerment and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.
In the surveillance video police say you can see the driver and a passenger get out of the car to check on the victim but then get back in and just drive away.
Hainsworth had nothing to say outside of court.
NBC Connecticut spoke with the victim back in July.
"I went to the gas station to get coffee because it was a little chilly, and the bus didn't come right away. And then I hit the parking lot, and I don't remember nothing," said Hostos.
Hainsworth was released on $1,500 bail and is due back in court October 1st.
The victim and her family now feel a sense of relief, saying the justice system is working.
"I'm a Christian, and I believe that, you know, everybody has to be looked at through lenses of forgiveness," said Parsons.
