Antonio Sabàto Jr. and Virgina Madsen's son is facing criminal charges after an alleged fatal hit-and-run.
Jack Sabàto, 32, was arrested in Anchorage, Alaska, on Nov. 9, on felony charges of leaving the scene of an accident without assisting the injured and the misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death, according to court records obtained by USA TODAY.
The Anchorage Police Department also confirmed the alleged incident in a press release, stating at approximately 5:48 a.m. local time Nov. 9, emergency personnel responded to an unresponsive man in an intersection near Merrill Field Airport. The man, identified as 42-year-old Carl Simmonds, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The vehicle "struck" Simmonds "then
fled the scene," the press release said of the early investigation, adding Sabàto was determined to be the driver and taken into custody later that day.
Charging documents obtained by local outlet KTUU revealed authorities identified the suspect's car as a Chevrolet Tahoe through surveillance footage and traced the vehicle registration to Sabàto’s home address.
A neighbor then confirmed his place of work, where officers located the Tahoe around 12:45 p.m. with "fresh damage to the right front corner that was consistent with a pedestrian strike." Police obtained a warrant and seized the vehicle.
Two hours later, Sabàto reportedly called police asking to speak with officers and said he hit an animal with the Tahoe, per charging documents. He then told officers he was on his way home from "doing late night DoorDashing" when he turned and "'something' suddenly appeared in the road" and his headlights went out.
The charging documents state Sabàto knew he hit "something" but was afraid to check because he does not have insurance. He said he ultimately called police because he "knew the worst." At the time of his arrest, Sabàto said he was working as an Amazon delivery driver.
Sabàto was arraigned on Nov. 10 and appointed a public defender. As of Wednesday, Nov. 11, he remained in custody at Anchorage Correctional Complex, inmate records show. KTUU reported his bail was set at $5,000, plus a no-driving order and an additional $5,000 penalty if he fails to appear at future court dates.
Jack Sabàto is the only child of Oscar-nominee Madsen, known for "Sideways" and "Designated Survivor," and Antonio Sabàto Jr., famed for his time on "General Hospital" from 1992 to 1995 and "Melrose Place" in 1995. The 54-year-old soap opera star addressed his son's arrest in a statement shared to his social media on Nov. 11.
"At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter," the statement read. "As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers."
It concluded, "I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected."
USA TODAY reached out to representatives for Virginia Madsen, the Anchorage Police Department and the Alaska Public Defender Agency Office.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Antonio Sabàto Jr. and Virgina Madsen's son charged in fatal hit-and-run
