One person was arrested in connection to an alleged hit-and-run in Delaware County just hours into the new year.
It happened on Sunday around 2 a.m. in Folcroft, Pa. Police say John McManus, 31, of Collingdale was driving his wife and another couple home after a New Year's party. McManus parked his minivan on the 700 block of Taylor Drive.
As he got out and opened the passenger door for his friend, police say he was struck by a dark colored, four-door Ford 500. Investigators say the vehicle quickly fled the scene towards Delmar Drive. A mirror and part of the bumper were found at the scene.
"John flew between 15 and 20 feet," said Dan Petrucci, a friend of John's. "Just seeing your friend of 18 years lying on the ground like that bleeding profusely, it was horrible."
McManus was taken to the hospital where he remains in critical condition.
On Monday police arrested Matthew Cooper, 24, of Upper Darby Township in connection to the hit-and-run. Police say Cooper admitted to fleeing the scene after striking "something" in the roadway.
"He admitted to striking an unknown object and leaving the area," said Corporal Christopher Eiserman of the Folcroft Police. "He stated he didn't know it was a person. He was very remorseful. I think he knows he made a bad choice in what he did and that's why he came out and told us what he did."
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Police say Cooper was driving home from a New Year's celebration though its unknown if he was intoxicated during the accident.
"We don't know for a fact if he was or not," said Corporal Eiserman. "That's something we can't prove at this point."
Detectives plan to execute a search warrant in Cooper's vehicle on Tuesday.
Cooper will be charged with reckless driving, reckless endangerment, failure to report an accident and other related offenses, according to police.
He is scheduled for an arraignment Tuesday morning.
McManus is still hospitalized, heavily sedated and breathing through a ventilator. His family fears he could lose his hearing as a result of his injuries. His family also said that his wife read him 'get well' letters written by their two children.
