Break in the case of hit-and-run of 76-year-old woman, suspect arrested
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Dan McGovern, the man accused of hitting and killing 76-year-old Charlene McAlister, has been charged in connection with the case.
Colorado State Patrol (CSP) was initially searching for two drivers in connection with the deadly hit-and-run; however, investigators say they later determined the second driver did not have anything to do with Charlene's death.
State Troopers tell KRDO13 McGovern turned himself in the day after the crash. He wasn't arrested until July 1st. At this time, the cause of the delay in his arrest is unclear.
McGovern now faces a charge of failing to remain at the scene after an accident involving death, according to CSP.
McAlister was a beloved daycare worker who walked the same route to work every morning — until the day she was struck and left to die.
Her family, still grieving, was in court. Serena McAlister, Charlene's daughter, spoke with KRDO13 about having to see McGovern in court. She shared that it was anxiety-inducing and felt like her raw emotions from that time were being reopened.
"It brought on a lot of emotions. You know, it's just hard to see him and go, okay, this is the person responsible, so to speak," shared Serena McAlister, Charlene's daughter.
The past few months have been incredibly hard for the McAlister family, since Serena says she lost her best friend.
"You know, most teenage girls go through a point where they're not getting along with their moms, and I never went through that phase," Serena McAlister continued, "We always lived together because we were, you know, best friends. So it's very hard to know that that part of me is gone. It was so sudden."
She says it's been tough for her father, siblings and even the colleagues that Charlene worked with at the McCoy and Littlejohn Child Care Center.
"She was an amazing person. Everybody at her work, the kids' parents, loved her, and the kids loved her. I mean, she was truly, you know, everybody's mom, everybody's grandma," said McAlister.
Serena's mother was also her partner in crime. In the wake of Charlene's passing, Serena hopes that justice is served. She also noted that hopefully, changes could be made at that intersection.
"Do justice. The right thing needs to be done. I just want people to be aware, you know. I'd love to see something done at that intersection because, you know, there are schools around there, there's the daycare, there's a need. If not my mom, it could have been a child. It's a scary intersection," said McAlister.
As the McAlister family has been working to get back on their feet, a verified GoFundMe was created. If you would like to support them, you can do so here.
KRDO13 reached out to McGovern's attorney for comment. We have yet to receive a response.
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