Suspect in Hit-And-Run Drank, Smoked Pot: Cops
17-year-old victim died Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 | Updated 7:22 PM EDT
A man accused in a deadly hit-and-run in Waterbury faced a judge today. Police say he admitted to being on drugs when he hit the victims.
Waterbury Police have arrested the driver they said is responsible for a hit-and-run crash that killed a teenager and injured a 21-year-old in Waterbury.
He and the other people who were in the car had allegedly been drinking and smoking marijuana before the crash, police said.
Investigators located the blue 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier believed to be involved in the crash on Tuesday after a neighbor tipped police off about the damaged car.
The car's owner, Michael McHaney, 29, admitted he was driving the car when it struck the two victims around 11:30 p.m. on Monday at Aurora Street and the Route 73 Connector, according to police.
"He partially covered it up trying to hide it," Captain Chris Corbett said. "He did admit to hitting the two pedestrians and fleeing the scene."
McHaney told investigators he fled because he wanted to avoid being arrested.
The passengers "freaked out" after the crash and told McHaney that he had to stop, police said. About half a mile from the scene, McHaney did stop, told his passengers to get out of the car and left them on the side of the road, according to police.
"He actually then stated he waited to see on the news how serious it was before he turned himself in," Corbett said.
Police said one of the victims, 17-year-old Joshua Rodriguez, suffered serious head injuries, and died around 2 p.m Tuesday. Rodriguez would have turned 18 this Saturday.
The other victim, Richard Resto, 21, remains in stable condition at St. Mary's Hospital, where he is being treated for leg and hip injuries.
Catherine Snide, Resto's grandmother, said she was shaken when she heard the news Monday night but was glad he was alive.
"I don't think it's right," Snide said, when talking about the driver. "They don't have no heart, they should stop and see."
McHaney is charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault with a motor vehicle and felony evading responsibility. He is being held on $500,000 bond.
McHaney has a lengthy criminal record, according to online records. In 2004 he was sentenced for engaging police in a pursuit. In 2009 he served time for driving under the influence.
He will be in court on Wednesday morning.
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