Arrest made after 16-year-old high school student killed in hit-and-run crash in Yonkers

The victim, known as CJ, was a student at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains.

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Friday, August 5, 2022
Arrest made after 16-year-old killed in hit-and-run crash in Yonkers
Christopher Jack Hackett, 16, was riding an electric scooter on McLean Avenue when police say 46-year-old Stephen Dolan hit him with a van. Marcus Solis has the details.

YONKERS, New York (WABC) -- Police have made an arrest in a hit-and-run crash that killed a high school student in Yonkers.

Christopher Jack Hackett, 16, was riding an electric scooter on McLean Avenue just after midnight Wednesday when police say 46-year-old Stephen Dolan hit him with a van.

Police charged Dolan with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. Investigators believe he was drunk and charges could be updated.

The victim, known as CJ, was a student at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains.

Dozens of friends, parents, teachers and administrators attended a memorial service Friday.

"He was just so nice, loving caring, he would do anything for any of us," John Calise said.

Hackett was about to enter his junior year of high school.

"I had him as a freshman and had him as a sophomore, he never gave me any trouble, he was always my shining light and a beacon sometimes where sometimes kids would act up, he would never act up," Deacon Daniel Moliterno said.

"He was the last kid you think it would happen to, the last kid you'd want it to happen to, if you asked me who's the one kid you would never want God's judgment on before it ever came, it's CJ," Tom Brady said.

Grief counselors were on hand at the school on Friday.

"Our hearts go out to Christopher Hackett's family and to his friends," Mayor Mike Spanos said. "This young man's life was tragically and senselessly cut short. As for the accused driver, who is a City employee, the Police Department is conducting a full and fair investigation so that the District Attorney can hold him fully accountable under the law."

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