Toddler in Stroller Struck in Long Island Hit-Run, Breaks Arm: Officials

A toddler in a stroller was struck in a hit-and-run off a highway on Long Island Monday, authorities say. 

The 3-year-old girl was hit by a Jeep in a crosswalk at Montauk Highway and William Floyd Parkway in Shirley, near a Pathmark supermarket, at about 3:45 p.m., police said.

The driver hit the stroller and then sped off, witnesses and law enforcement sources said.

The impact sent the girl flying into a street sign, the girl's mother said. 

"She just flew into the sign and she was there laying down, saying 'help me, help me,'" said Lilibeth Rivera. 

The Jeep missed hitting Rivera, who was also holding her 8-month-old child. 

The toddler was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was being treated for a broken arm and cuts to her arm and face. 

"It's hard for a mother to see a child like this," said Rivera. 

Police later arrested 30-year-old Scott Shea, of Middle Island, on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident. At his arraignment Tuesday, Shea's lawyer called the case "a tragic accident," and said his client swerved to avoid hitting another vehicle when he hit the stroller.

Shea denied fleeing the scene. His lawyer said his client pulled into a shopping center across from the crash scene and went looking for police "because he didn't know exactly what happened, it happened so fast." 

But police insisted Shea was trying to escape.

"He had ample time to stop at that scene," said Detective Lt. Gail Marrero. "He proceeded to the next intersection, which is quite a distance from the accident scene." 

Shea is currently on parole on a weapons selling charge. It wasn't clear if he entered a plea Tuesday.

Follow Greg Cergol on Twitter @GREGCERGOL4NY

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