Police

Cops: Baiting Hollow man charged in hit-and-run crash

An unlicensed Baiting Hollow man was arrested Saturday in connection with a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured a pedestrian in Shirley Thursday, Suffolk County police said. 

John Almeida, 23, of Baiting Hollow was driving a 2002 Nissan Maxima shortly before 8 p.m. when he struck Marie Braccia, 54, of Mastic as she attempted to cross Grand Avenue just north of Montauk Highway, police said. Mr. Almeida then allegedly fled the scene.

John Almeida
John Almeida

Mr. Almeida was arrested shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday and charged with leaving the scene of an incident involving serious physical injury and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. He will be held overnight at the Seventh Precinct and is scheduled for a Sunday morning arraignment in Central Islip, police said.

An update on Ms. Braccia’s health was not immediately available. CBS News New York reported Friday that the mother of two was in serious condition at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital in East Patchogue, where she had undergone surgery for broken bones.