Sajjad Chaudhary (left), and his son Ali Chaudhary (right) pursued a driver after they witnessed a hit-and-run in New Haven on Monday
Father and son chase down hit-and-run suspect and make heroic citizen's arrest
- Sajj Chaudhary and son Ali witnessed collision in New Haven, Connecticut
- Pedestrian Charlotte Fox, 34, was seriously injured with broken bones
- They pursued the driver and cornered him in a parking lot half a mile away
- Sajj detained Diaz until police arrived while his son filmed the encounter
- Officer David Hartman said Sajj should apply to be police officer
- David Diaz was charged with second-degree assault, felony evading with a motor vehicle, operating while under the influence, and reckless driving
- Diaz reportedly told police he had smoked marijuana and taken cocaine earlier on Monday
A father and son heroically pursued and detained a drunk driver who sped off after mowing a pedestrian down in New Haven.Sajjad Chaudhary and his son Ali followed suspected driver David Diaz until they cornered him in a parking lot.While the father ordered Diaz to put his hands in the air until the police arrived, his son filmed the encounter on his phone.Diaz was eventually arrested and charged with second-degree assault, felony evading with a motor vehicle, operating while under the influence, and reckless driving.
Ali filmed Diaz after they cornered him in a parking lot (right). Diaz was charged with second-degree assault, felony evading with a motor vehicle, operating while under the influence, and reckless driving
Diaz is accused of running a red light before hitting pedestrian Charlotte Fox, 34, as she was crossing the street on Monday.Fox, who was seriously injured, sustained broken bones but is expected to survive, the police said.The Chaudharys, who own a nearby car dealership Dynamic Auto, witnessed the collision while they were in their car.Sajjad told FOX: 'When he hit her on the bottom of the leg, she goes up into the air, doing like two spins and then she dropped on the ground. I have seen this in cartoon movies, not in the real life.'
The two then pursued the driver about half a mile away until they managed to corner him at a parking lot.In the video, taken by Ali and released by the police, Sajj can be heard yelling: 'Stand right there and keep your hands right there. Put your both hands up there. Don't move!'Sajj can also be seen leading Diaz to stand with his stomach against the side of the vehicle. He also tugs on his hooded sweatshirt when the driver tries to walk away.The Choudharys were nervous about the possibility of Diaz pulling a gun on them, but they were more concerned that he would get away.
In the video, taken by Ali and released by the police, Sajj can be heard commanding Diaz (pictured, left and right) to put his arms up and stay still until the police arrive. Officer Hartman was impressed with his Sajj's tactics and said: 'This guy should certainly apply to be a police officer'
Diaz, left, reportedly told officers he was sure he would fail the urine test because he smoked marijuana and took cocaine earlier in the day
Officer David B. Hartman said even though police don't suggest ordinary citizens put themselves in harm's way, he was impressed with Sajj's detaining tactics.After viewing the video, he told FOX: 'His commands to the suspect were spot on. You know, this guy should certainly apply to be a police officer.'Hartman also said Diaz underwent a urine test after police smelled alcohol on his breath and detected slurred speech.Diaz, reportedly cursed at officers and told them he had smoked marijuana and snorted cocaine earlier that day. Police are still awaiting the results of the test.Hartman thanked the father and son duo by saying: 'The NHPD is grateful for the bravery displayed by the Chaudharys. They are true heroes of this city.''Although we're thrilled with the outcome, we do not advocate anyone putting themselves in harms way,' he added.Sajj, however, brushed off the claims of heroism and said he was simply being a good citizen.
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