A 66-year-old man is fighting for his life after a car hit him while he was crossing Merrick Road in Freeport on Wednesday night, police said. First responders rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition, as the driver took off without stopping.
What police say
According to ABC7 New York, Nassau County police say the crash happened around 8:10 p.m. Wednesday, when an eastbound vehicle struck the man as he crossed Merrick Road and then drove away. Detectives have not released any description of the vehicle or the driver and say the investigation is ongoing. The station reports the victim was taken to a local hospital, where he is listed in critical condition.
How you can help
Per the Freeport Police Department, anyone who witnessed the collision or has dash-cam or home-surveillance footage from the area is urged to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or call 911. Authorities say anonymous tips can be crucial in identifying vehicles involved in hit-and-run cases.
A larger problem on Long Island
Pedestrian crashes continue to be a stubborn problem across Long Island. Newsday's fatality tracker showed an uptick in road deaths in Nassau County last year, including pedestrian fatalities, highlighting the growing concern over safety on local streets. Safety advocates have pointed to busy corridors like Merrick Road as hotspots where better crosswalks, improved lighting and stepped-up enforcement could reduce risk, as reported by Newsday.
Detectives say the investigation remains active and again urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers or call 911. This story will be updated if authorities release further details.
