Man Charged In Teen's Hit-And-Run Death

BRISTOL, Conn. -- Three months after a Bristol teen was killed in a hit-and-run, the man accused in his death faced a judge Tuesday.

Robert Park, 44, was arrested in connection with the death of 14-year-old Henry Waye on Monday.

Park didn't speak in court and did not acknowledge the grieving family of the 14-year-old in the courtroom.

Park's attorney argued for his client's bond to be lowered from $200,000 to $90,000. He said his client has been cooperative with police since a few weeks after the hit-and-run.

"Your honor, I was retained on March 23, 2009," the attorney said. "On March 24, 2009, I contacted the Bristol Police Department and notified them we were available for arrest if that should come to pass."

Park's attorney also said his client is ill and on medication, but he didn't elaborate.

Police said Park was driving drunk when he hit the Bristol Central High School freshman before taking off in March.

Henry and his friend were pushing their bikes up steep George Street when he was hit.

Police said Park lives on George Street.

However, state's attorney's office pointed out that this incident isn't the first in which Park has been charged with driving drunk. Two years ago, they said, he was charged with DUI and disorderly conduct out in Utah, where he was living at the time.

According to Bristol police's arrest warrant, police questioned Park on the night of the crash. It states that he "was slurring his words," was "unable to make complete sentences" and "made suicidal statements."

It also states that Park's blood alcohol level was ".30 percent."

In the end, the judge agreed to the lower bond.

Park's attorney said his client will likely post bond in the coming days, and will be allowed to drive.

Henry's family was outraged by the decision. They said they're appalled that Park would be allowed back on the road, where he could kill another person.

The arrest warrant also includes an interview with a witness who was on George Street at the time of the hit-and-run. In the warrant, the woman said she saw the two boys walking their bikes up the hill. She said they were clearly visible and that moments later she looked in her rearview mirror and saw a white pickup truck and that its headlights suddenly went out.

Police confiscated Park's pickup truck, which they said had clothing and other fibers on the hood of it.

"I think they strongly suspected (him), but again, knowing something and proving it are two different things," said Henry's grandfather, Gary Valencis. "He was really loved by pretty much everybody he came into contact with. He was everybody's pal."

Wearing bracelets in memory of Henry, family and friends supported one another at court on Tuesday.

Park was charged with second-degree manslaughter, among other things. He is due back in court next month.

Henry's family is also selling bracelets in his name for $1 each. The proceeds will go toward planting a tree in his honor at Bristol Central High school as well as his ceramics class at the school. For information, send this family an e-mail.

Previous Stories:
March 13, 2009: Hit-And-Run Victim Remembered At Vigil
March 9, 2009: Still No Arrests In Teen's Fatal Hit, Run
March 6, 2009: Teen Killed In Bristol Hit-And-Run