Hit-And-Run Suspect Not Only One to Blame: Relatives

Family members say the victim's family partially to blame for accident.

By Stephania Jimenez, Stephanie O'Connell and Danielle Poulin

| Thursday, Aug 23, 2012 | Updated 6:12 PM EDT

Todd Piro & Jared Dobiecki

Relatives of Marc Santos, the 18-year-old charged in a deadly hit-and-run accident, said the teen isn't the only person responsibile for the death of the 90-year-old victim.

Hit-And-Run Suspect Faces Judge

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The teen charged in the hit-and-run accident that killed a 90-year-old woman with dementia appeared in court Thursday morning.

Marc Santos,18, of Waterbury was arrested on Wednesday after detectives received a tip that he was involved in the fatal crash. When interviewed by police, Santos admitted to being the driver of the car that struck and killed Nella Atkins, police said.

"My brother feels sorry," said Betzabeth Santos, the suspect's sister. "He didn't mean to do it. he didn't see her. He wears glasses, you know, he wasn't wearing them. It was raining."

Around 1:30 a.m., Saturday, police responded to Highland Ave. and Bradley Ave. There they found Nella Atkins suffering from injuries sustained after being struck by a motor vehicle. Atkins was transported to Waterbury Hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

It appears that Atkins, who suffered from Dementia, had wandered away from her home late Friday night or early Saturday morning, police said.

Relatives of Santos outside court Thursday, said the teen shouldn't bear all the responsibility for the accident.

"The people that should have been watching her, they're supposed to be getting time too," Betzabeth Santos said.

Jesus Santiago, Santos' cousin, said the teen thought he had struck an animal Saturday night.

"Not all the responsibility is on him. How about the people that were supposed to be watching her? Come on, man. She's 90 years old," Santiago said.

"I would say he needs to accept responsibility for his actions before he worries about my aunt's actions that night," said Michael Pieksza, the victim's nephew.

Santos faces Felony Evading Responsibility charges. He was released after his family posted $95,000 bond.

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