Aurora Estaba, of Bridgeport, says she called 911 Friday night after discovering a man lying in the street along Fairfield Avenue, suffering from what Bridgeport police later confirmed to be critical injuries.

"I was driving in my car and almost hit the guy - but thank God, I stopped as quickly as I did," Estaba said.

"If I had not stopped and called 911, somebody else would have run over him - they just would have," Estaba said.

The victim was struck by a hit-and-run driver near the intersection with Commerce Drive shortly after 6 p.m. Friday, police said Monday.

The victim, whose identity police have not yet made public, is a well-known figure at the Thomas Merton Family Center on State Street, located near the accident scene.

"We all love the guy and he's here at the Merton Center with me all the time, every day," said Uvaldo Mendoza.

"I can't believe somebody hit him like that and just left him there," Mendoza said.

The Merton Center, which offers food and other free services to the community, issued a statement Monday expressing sadness in the wake of the accident, and extending its love and good wishes to the victim and his family.

Anybody who can help police is asked to call 203-576-TIPS.