A Tuesday morning bike ride in Atlantic Beach ended in tragedy when a bicyclist was struck and killed by a car that allegedly took off, according to Nassau County police. Hours later, officers arrested 67-year-old Erin M. Henry of Long Beach and charged her with leaving the scene of an incident causing a death.
Detectives say Henry was behind the wheel of a 2019 Honda HR-V, heading east on Beech Street near Scott Drive at about 7:46 a.m., when the vehicle hit an unidentified male bicyclist and then kept going eastbound without stopping, as reported by Daily Voice.
What the charge can carry
Under New York law, leaving the scene of a crash that results in death is treated as a serious felony offense. Vehicle & Traffic Law §600 sets out different penalties depending on whether a driver leaves after causing property damage, injury, or death. As detailed in New York State law, prosecutors and judges can weigh factors such as whether the driver knew someone was hurt or whether impairment was involved when deciding charges and potential sentences.
Nassau County police, working with Long Beach police, tracked down the Honda and took Henry into custody without incident, authorities told Daily Voice. According to the report, the bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene by the Long Beach Fire Department. Henry was scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Wednesday, March 25, and the investigation remains active.
Investigation and next steps
Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has video from the area to contact Nassau County police as they continue to piece together what happened on Beech Street. Authorities have not yet released the victim’s identity, and details about the moments leading up to the collision are still limited while investigators interview potential witnesses and review evidence.
