Arrest made in Westwood hit and run

WESTWOOD, Mass. (WHDH) -- An arrest was made in a hit and run accident in Westwood that injured a woman while she was walking her dog.

Donald Gentile turned himself in early Thursday morning after hitting and seriously injuring the 26-year-old woman and killing the woman’s dog Monday night.

Police released surveillance video of a white car, which they believed at the time was the suspect’s car, recorded near the scene of the accident.

Wednesday morning a student police officer, who was on his way to the police academy, recognized the vehicle from surveillance video on Route 128. He noted there was damage and got the license plate number and took pictures of the vehicle.

"A student police officer was en route to the police academy on Route 128. He did observe in front of him a mid-size white sedan in the roadway. He observed the windshield to have damage consistent to what he believed to be a deer strike," said Kate Nedelman Herbst, prosecutor.

Police used the information to locate the suspect.

"I thought it was going to be hard to find this guy. I'm just thankful that that cop kept an eye out and realized it," said Patrick Donovan, victim's neighbor.

The suspect told police that he thought he hit a dog.

Between the time of the accident and when the suspect turned himself in, investigators say he had work done on his vehicle.

"Not only did he flee the scene, not turning himself in in the days thereafter, he was successful in repairing the windshield to his car trying to hide the damage that had been caused," the prosecutor said.

Gentile’s bail was revoked because there he has an open case of assault and battery in Wrentham.

The victim is listed in fair condition but is still in intensive care at a Boston hospital.