Eastport Man Arrested For Leaving the Scene of Fatal Crash Earlier this Month
Earlier this month on November 3rd, Suffolk County police investigated a fatal crash in Eastport that left one dead and another seriously injured. Of the two victims, one was disabled.
The incident happened at 9:05 that night on the eastbound lane of Montauk Highway. Edward Barton was injured and Erika Strebel was killed immediately after being struck from behind while outside of their 1998 Jeep. Strebel, 27, of Eastport, was sent to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead where she was pronounced dead. Barton, 26, of East Moriches, was airlifted to Stony Brook University hospital and was treated for knee and head injuries.
Since that night it was unkown as to who was behind the accident. On Monday though, the investigation may have come to an end when the Vehicular Crime Unit charged Peter Torrillo, 48, of Eastport, for leaving the scene. The alleged hit-and-run driver was held overnight at the Fourth Precinct and will be arraigned at the First District Court in Central Islip.
Torrillo has been charged with one count of Leaving the Scene of Fatal Incident and one count of Leaving the Scene of a Serious Injury.
The investigation is ongoing. Detectives are asking anyone with information to call the Vehicular Crime Unit at 631-852-6555 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
[Source: Suffolk County Police Department]