Police on Long Island arrested the driver of an SUV that struck and killed a 64-year-old blind man and sped away.
Ruddy Velasquez-Morales pleaded not guilty on Thursday to leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death in the crash that killed 64-year-old Warren Karstendick.
Warren Karstendick, of Bay Avenue in East Patchogue, died after being struck by the SUV at about 6:55 a.m. Sunday as he walked on the shoulder of Main Street near his home, Suffolk County police said.
The driver of the SUV sped away, police said.
Karstendick, who is legally blind, was taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center, where he died.
Police say they found the SUV, a blue Ford Explorer, in a Manorville parking lot.
Investigators say it's registered to the Velasquez-Morales' sister.
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Police say Velasquez-Morales told police "it was me" after his arrest. But defense attorney Sanford Pirotin says there's no indication that his client was driving.
