AUBURN, Wash. — Auburn police said they have arrested a 26-year-old man in connection with Wednesday night's hit-and-run that injured 15-year-old Isami Brandan.
Police said that man lives in Kent and was arrested at his home at about 5 p.m. Friday.
KIRO 7 spoke to Brandan from his hospital bed, surrounded by family and friends. The teen knew it was just a matter of time before the hit and run driver who nearly killed him got caught.
"I'm just glad to be alive right now," he said.
It's been two days since he was hit by a red Prius while trying to cross Auburn Way North with his friend, Daniel Mendogralo.
Brandan's sister couldn't be more relieved.
"It really did damage to Isami," says Keysi Brandan, "It really did damage to us seeing him like this."
You would think the 15-year-old would be angry with the driver who left him to die on the side of the road with face fractures, cuts and bruises all over his body.
"I can't be mad at him. Honestly, I feel like the majority of it was my fault because I did something wrong," Brandan said.
The teen says he's "sorry" because he was the one who crossed the street when he wasn't supposed to.
"I would be scared, too, if I hit someone. I'm apologizing to this guy because I jaywalked right in front of him."
But Auburn Police say there's no excuse for leaving the scene of a hit and run. The driver hit Brandan with such force, he was launched 15 feet into the air, according to detectives.
"I mean, the boy was hit pretty hard. You can tell that the car hit the brake lights a couple times and slowed down, so they knew they hit something," said Commander Steve Stocker.
The arrest helps bring Brandan's family the sense of closure they have been waiting for.
"It could have turned out far worse," the teen said.
Investigators said they received information in the Wednesday morning and were able to locate the vehicle. In the afternoon, police identified the suspect and took him into custody.
The vehicle involved in the hit-and-run was rental and police said the suspect is cooperating with officers.
The suspect was booked into the SCORE jail for felony hit-and-run.
Auburn police want to thank the public for their response and support.
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