Van driver arrested in hit-and-run of teen bicyclist in North Bellmore, Nassau police say

Police have arrested a Bellmore man in connection with a hit-and-run crash that left a 14-year-old bicyclist injured Tuesday morning in North Bellmore.

Nassau County police said Edward Drexel, 60, was arrested by First Squad detectives Wednesday and charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious injury and with tampering with physical evidence. Drexel pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday in First District Court in Hempstead, according to online court records. He was released without bail and his next court date is August 10.

Police said Drexel was driving a white van that struck the 14-year-old boy in the crosswalk at the intersection of Jerusalem Avenue and Saw Mill Road at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

After the crash, police said the van took off eastbound.

The cyclist was transported to a hospital with a fracture, lacerations and bruising, police said. The status of the boy's recovery was unclear Thursday.

Police said during the collision two panels dislodged from the van — and were recovered at the scene. Investigators did not immediately detail what other evidence led them to arrest Drexel.

It was not immediately clear if Drexel is represented by counsel.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”