By D.M.Livingston
Published Nov 16, 2025
Update: Nov 16 2025 7:11PM-
correction
( John Egan hit and run did not result in a death, as an editing error has been corrected)
WATERBURY, CT — Waterbury has seen three tragic hit-and-run crashes in recent years. Two lives were lost, one victim left in a coma, yet the drivers responsible served shockingly short jail sentences.
In May 2023, John Egan, 58, left Bryan Calle, a teenager in critical condition after a crash, resulting in a coma. He pleaded nolo contendere to evading responsibility causing serious physical injury. Egan was sentenced to 10 years in jail, with execution suspended after 2 years, and 5 years of probation.
In March 2024, Christine Mcweeney , 58, pleaded guilty to evading responsibility resulting in death following a fatal crash where Christopher “Figgs” Coleman. She was sentenced to 3 years in jail and 5 years of probation.
Then in May 2024, Trae Christopher Pratt, 22, struck and killed Dwayne Hunter. Pratt pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and evading responsibility resulting in death, receiving 2 years and 6 months in jail plus 5 years of probation.
Combined, these three crashes resulted in less than 8 years of actual jail time for two deaths and one victim left in a coma. All three drivers fled the scene, yet the penalties are light compared to the lives affected.
Waterbury residents are asking tough questions: Are prosecutors holding hit-and-run drivers accountable Are Connecticut courts sending the right message about fleeing the scene and causing death or serious injury?
These cases highlight a troubling pattern in Connecticut: fatal and serious hit-and-run cases are often met with sentences that do not match the severity of the crime. The victims’ families continue to live with permanent loss and trauma, while the drivers serve only a fraction of their sentences behind bars.
Lawmakers in Hartford should consider reviewing and strengthening penalties for hit-and-run drivers, ensuring that fleeing the scene of a fatal or serious injury crash carries consequences that reflect the gravity of the act.
To the friends and families of Bryan Calle, Dwayne Hunter, and Christopher Coleman, the community stands with you. Your loss and trauma are real, and the hope is that justice will evolve to better protect victims and prevent future tragedies.
💬 We want to hear from you: Should Hartford lawmakers pass stricter penalties for drivers who flee serious or fatal accidents? Share your thoughts below.
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