Man Arrested In 13-Year-Old's Hit-And-Run Death

BOSTON -- A New Bedford man was arrested Thursday in connection with a hit-and-run that claimed the life of a 13-year-old Taunton boy.

Craig Bigos, 31, is accused of striking the boy with his 1995 Ford Explorer shortly after midnight Thursday near 15 Poole St. in Taunton.

The boy, who has not been identified, was riding a bike along the road with a friend at the time of the crash. The victim, who was supposed to be at a sleepover party, was later pronounced dead at Morton Hospital. His friend described the truck to police.

"It's a tragedy -- a tragedy for the family, a tragedy for his friend and a tragedy for the city," Massachusetts State Police Lt. Steve O' Reilly said.

Bigos surrendered to police at about 2 p.m. and was charged with motor vehicle homicide, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, operating a motor vehicle to endanger and driving without a license.

Police confiscated the Explorer at a home on Williams Street. Officials said that it belongs to one of Bigos' relatives.

"It's heartbreaking. It is awful to the family and the friends and the whole community," said Judy Choate, who lives near the crash site.

Bigos is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Taunton District Court.