Michael Sabeno, of Holbrook, charged in fatal hit-and-run of pedestrian

A Holbrook man was charged Thursday with fleeing the scene of a crash that killed a 63-year-old pedestrian in December, Suffolk County police said.

Michael Sabeno, 72, was charged in the crash that killed Richard DiRocco, 63, of Holbrook at about 5 p.m. on Dec. 3. Police said Sabeno fled the scene on Coates Avenue, just north of Frank Court in Holbrook.

DiRocco was taken by ambulance to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Sabeno  pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance during an arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on Thursday, according to court records.

Sabeno's attorney, David Besso of Bay Shore, said his client did not know he hit anyone on the night of the crash.

He said Sabeno was driving during a downpour and was told by police the next day that he may have hit someone. Sabeno's truck was impounded and he cooperated with police, Besso said. He described Sabeno as a resident of Suffolk County for 50 years.

"As soon as police notified him, he cooperated and was very remorseful," Besso said. "He didn’t know he hit anyone until the next day. We're looking forward to resolving it for him and the family of the victim."

The incident was one of two fatal crashes that day on Suffolk County roads.

With John Asbury