Amanda J. Purcell, and Abbott Brant

Poughkeepsie Journal

LAGRANGEVILLE - The reasons behind the fight and hit-and-run in a LaGrangeville park that resulted in the death of a teenager remain unclear.

The fight began when two groups of young adults ranging in ages from 16 to 20 went to Tymor Park to "engage in illegal conduct” that resulted in a fight, according to a police statement.

During the dispute, Michael Esposito, 18, and Joseph M. Calderon, 18, retrieved baseball bats from the vehicle they arrived in and began striking the car driven by 20-year-old Aaron W. Scott, of LaGrange. Scott drove the car forward and over Esposito. He then fled the scene prior to the arrival of emergency services, police said.

Though police will not specify what "illegal conduct" the two groups were engaging in, Esposito, Calderon and Scott all knew one another, according to police.

Esposito was transported to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital of Westchester Medical Center by Transcare Ambulance after an unspecified person called 911, police said. Esposito succumbed to his injuries sometime after he arrived at the hospital. Police said Esposito died as a result of "serious internal injuries consistent with being run over."

Scott's vehicle was located by a Dutchess County deputy sheriff on Manor Drive in the Town of LaGrange, police said. Scott was located as he emerged from a shed behind a nearby home. He was charged with second-degree manslaughter, a class C felony, and arraigned in the Town of Union Vale Court before Judge Paul Pancio. He was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond. Scott has not posted bail as of Tuesday afternoon.

The incident sparked an outpouring of support among Esposito's friends on social media. Esposito graduated from Arlington High School in 2015, according to his Facebook page.

"It’s tragic, just as a member of our community, to lose someone so young,” said Arlington Superintendent Brendan Lyons. “It’s a life cut way too short, especially under the circumstances that he passed away in. We wish his family well in dealing with his loss."

Calling hours are scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at McHoul Funeral Home, 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at Kateri Tekakwitha Church, 1925 Route 82, LaGrangeville.

Calderon was charged with third-degree criminal mischief, a class E felony, and released on an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Union Vale Court.

State police were assisted by the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office and the Union Vale Fire Department.

Amanda J. Purcell: apurcell@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4807; Facebook.com/pojopurcell; Twitter: @amandajpurcell