On the morning of Thursday, June 9, in Brentwood, Long Island, a senior lost her life after being hit by a vehicle that left the scene of the accident. The accident occurred at about 7:15 a.m. on Ferris Avenue, near the intersection of O’Rourke Street in Long Island, NY.
According to authorities, Maria Carmelina Arroba Gavilanez, who was 81 years old at the time, was walking along Ferris Avenue when she was hit by the vehicle. Gavilanez, who hailed from Ecuador, was visiting family in Brentwood, New York.
After the accident, the elderly victim was declared dead by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. Police said she was killed immediately.
The victim’s son, Nelson Palomino, later said that the accident took place right by a stop sign on the street.
Neighbors expressed their shock and horror at the fatal auto accident, as well as concern for children who usually walk to bus stops around the time at which the car accident happened. The neighborhood residents were especially troubled by the fact that the driver in this collision did not stop, but instead just kept going even after they hit the victim.
Detectives are encouraging anyone with information pertaining to the hit-and-run accident to contact the Major Case Unit at 631-852-6555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. Your calls will be kept confidential.
In addition to possibly facing criminal charges, the alleged hit-and-run driver may be subject to a wrongful death claim by the family of the victim. Such a lawsuit can be brought by the family of a person who was killed due to the negligence, recklessness or malice of another individual.

If you lost your loved one in a fatal car accident, call the wrongful death attorneys at Proner and Proner. You may be able to recover compensation for the financial losses you suffered. Such recovery can include the cost of medical and funeral expenses, loss of support, loss of services and the expectation of inheritance.