SCPD: Man Arrested After Hit and Run Crash that Seriously Injured Pedestrian
Coram, NY - May 12, 2014 - Suffolk County Police have arrested a Coram man that left the scene of a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a pedestrian.
Joel Ruiz was walking in the parking lot of the Plaza 99 shopping center, located at 99 Route 25, Coram, when he was struck by a 2002 Hyundai Sonata on Saturday, May 10 at approximately 10:40 p.m.
Ruiz, 30, of Coram, suffered a severe head injury and possible broken bones. He was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was admitted in serious condition.
Sixth Squad detectives located the Hyundai on Sunday May 11. An investigation revealed that the person driving the vehicle that struck Ruiz was Elvis Espinal, 32, of 31 Fife Drive, Coram.
Espinal was charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash involving Serious Physical Injury Without Reporting, a Felony. Espinal is being held overnight at the Sixth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned First District Court in Central Islip on Monday May 12.
The investigation is continuing. Detectives ask anyone with information or anyone that may have witnessed the crash to call the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.