All accidents involving serious injury and death are tragic, but the accident becomes even more complicated when it is a hit-and-run accident. Such was the case in North Amityville, the night of April 3.

Newsday reported the death of a Copiague man, Pierre Prophete, who was hospitalized at the Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip.

Suffolk County police are still looking for the man who fled the scene, the driver of a 2007 Infiniti.

Hit-and-Run Accident Details

Around 8:00 p.m., a 2008 BMW and the Infiniti sideswiped each other while traveling at high speeds on New Highway. The BMW went off the road and collided into a fence. The Infiniti crashed into the rear end of a 2004 Chevrolet Blazer, which caused the Blazer to overturn. Then, the Infiniti hit two parked vehicles and the driver ran away.

Prophete was a passenger in the backseat of the Blazer. The driver and its three passengers were all seriously injured and taken to hospitals for treatment. Prophete died the next day.

Police are still investigating to determine exactly what occurred.

New York Hit-and-Run Accident Law

New York law requires drivers involved in car accidents to stop at the scene of the accident. They must exchange driver’s licenses and insurance information, provide address and contact information, and report the accident to the police. Violating the law can result in criminal charges ranging from a misdemeanor to felony, depending on the seriousness of the accident. Serious personal injury leads to a class E felony charge, and authorities charge drivers with a class D felony when death occurs.

After a Serious Accident or Fatality, Contact an Accident Lawyer Right Away

When a loved one suffers a serious injury or dies in a car accident, it is vital to contact an accident lawyer as soon as possible. Sackstein Sackstein & Lee, LLP has successfully handled accident cases for more than 65 years.