NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- The family of a police officer struck by a sport utility vehicle has asked for a private day in an area hospital.

New Haven Police Chief Francisco Ortiz asked his officers on Thursday to refrain from visiting Officer Dan Picagli in the hospital. Picagli remained in a coma and is in critical condition since the incident on Tuesday night.

Hit Officer Remains In Critical Condition

Picagli's family issued a statement on Thursday afternoon through Yale-New Haven Hospital, thanking everyone for their support.

"We are especially grateful to the members of the law enforcement community, who have been with us throughout, as well as Mayor John DeStefano. We ask that you continue to pray for Dan's recovery and to keep him in your thoughts and prayers," the statement reads.

Police said the SUV struck Picagli at about 6:30 p.m. on Chapel Street between Olive Street and Depalma Court while he worked an extra-duty construction detail.

Eyewitness News reported on Wednesday that the driver of the SUV was federal Judge John M. Walker of the 2nd Circuit Federal Court of Appeals. Walker, 65, was also a guest lecturer at Yale University, according to school officials.

Since then, many friends and colleagues have visited Picagli at the hospital. Picagli has a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain, according to doctors . According to police, Picagli also suffered a broken leg and pelvis.

"It's safe to say that it's a life-threatening injury. He's fighting for his life," Ortiz said. "The firefighters and EMTs at the scene did a remarkable job in getting him to the hospital."

"The family has requested that this be a family day at the hospital. We're respecting that and reserving that time for them," New Haven Mayor John DeStefano said.

Police said Picagli was wearing a marked police reflective vest at the time of the incident.

A witness told Eyewitness News that he was a few cars behind Walker's SUV at the time of the crash. The eyewitness said that it was dark and rainy and that he did not feel comfortable driving more than 15 to 20 mph.

A 2nd Court spokesman told Eyewitness News that Walker's involvement in the crash has not had any effect on the judge's lifetime appointment. According to the spokesman, the accident investigation is ongoing.

Walker has not yet been charged, and his assistant refused to comment when Eyewitness News called looking for a response.

Police did not test Walker's blood-alcohol level following the crash because investigators said there weren't any indications that the judge was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time.

Picagli, 38, has worked for New Haven police since 1989. Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Irene O'Connor said in her report that Picagli is married and has three children.

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