Officials on Saturday named the son of a Newton County commissioner as a suspect in the New Year's Day hit-and-run of 25-year-old Jennifer Bond.

The Newton County Sheriff's Department identified James Pistello Jr., 31, of Sumava Resorts, as the driver of the GMC pickup that struck Bond about 3 a.m. as she walked west on County Road 1150 North, east of U.S. 41.

Pistello had not been charged as of Saturday. Felony charges of leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury are expected, department officials said.

Alcohol is considered a factor in the accident, the department said.

Bond, also of Sumava Resorts, remained hospitalized Saturday at St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point. Hospital personnel would not comment Saturday on Bond's condition, citing privacy rights.

Her father, Al Bond, said she appeared to be improving.

She'd been unconscious after suffering injuries to her brain and internal organs and a broken leg in the accident, he said.

On Saturday, Bond was able to respond to commands from a surgeon, and she had been crying, Al Bond said.

"Maybe she's feeling the pain," he said. "That's better than being unconscious."

Pistello's father has been a county commissioner for about seven years, fellow commissioner Roxanna Hanford said Saturday. His District 3 post covers Sumava Resorts, Lake Village, Enos and Morocco.

The Times could not reach either Pistello on Saturday night.

Hanford said she and others who know the Pistellos were shocked when they learned the news.

"We thought, 'Oh my god, it's Jim's son,'" Hanford said. "It's really sad for the whole community."

The Sheriff's Department said Pistello was driving west on County Road 1150 North when he struck Bond.

Pistello got out of his pickup and moved Bond to the side of the road when a westbound passer-by stopped and offered to help, the department said.

Pistello told the passer-by Bond was intoxicated but didn't say an accident had occurred, sheriff's officials said.

The passer-by drove home to call emergency responders and Pistello left Bond alone at the scene, officials said.

Bond's two sons are handling her condition in different ways, Al Bond said.

The youngest, 17 months, repeats "mom, mom, mom" into a toy cell phone, while the older son, 7, "sees how bad it is," Al Bond said.

Hanford said she does not know the younger Pistello well, but called the hit-and-run "out of character."

"It's just a terrible thing, for both families," she said. "There is no bright side. I hope that they can all get through it."

Staff writer Christine Kraly contributed to this report.