Antonio Sabato Jr. is asking for privacy after his son with Virginia Madsen, Jack Sabato, was arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in Anchorage, Alaska, earlier this week.
Jack Sabato, 32, was arrested Nov. 9, the same day 42-year-old pedestrian Carl Simmonds was struck and killed by a Chevrolet Tahoe. Investigators allege that Sabato hit Simmonds and kept driving. He was arraigned on Nov. 10 and now faces a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident without assisting the injured and a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death.
Sabato Jr. — a model and actor who starred on General Hospital in the 1990s — shares Jack with Madsen, an Oscar nominee for Sideways. In a statement posted to X on Wednesday, he asked for privacy and “thoughts and prayers” as the case unfolds.
“At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter. As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family,” he wrote. “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.
“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 impacted,” he added.
According to Anchorage police, patrol officers and Anchorage Fire Department medics responded at about 5:48 a.m. on Nov. 9 to the intersection of Airport Heights Drive and Debarr Road on a report of an unresponsive man. Simmonds was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said he had been struck by a vehicle that then fled. Officers found the Tahoe later that day and arrested Sabato.
Charging documents say Sabato contacted police, saying that he’d hit an animal and didn’t stop to check because he was scared since he did not have insurance.
Sabato remains held at the Anchorage Correctional Complex.