Vehicle involved in Blue Point hit-and-run identified, Suffolk County police say
Investigators now say the SUV involved in the hit-and-run crash in Blue Point last month is a black Lincoln Navigator of a model year somewhere between 2007-2014. Credit: SCPD
Investigators have identified the type of sport utility vehicle involved in a hit-and-run crash that critically injured a 76-year-old bicyclist last month in Blue Point — and are asking the public to help them find the driver involved. Updated video of the incident was released Monday.
Suffolk County police said that after a forensic examination of that video Fifth Squad detectives now believe the SUV involved is a black Lincoln Navigator of a model year somewhere between 2007-2014, and said it has tinted window and gold New York license plates. The new video can be found at youtube.com/scpdtv under the listing: Wanted for Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Serious Injuries and the CC number of 20-190272. Police are asking anyone with knowledge of the crash — or, who recognizes the vehicle — to call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. Tipsters also can file a tip using a mobile app downloaded through the App Store of Google Play by searching P3 Tips or online at www.P3Tips.com.
All calls, text messages and emails will remain confidential and tipsters are eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for any information leading to an arrest in the case.
The incident occurred April 6 as police said the cyclist, Frannie Columbini, 76, of Blue Point, rode his bicycle north on Blue Point Avenue just before noon. Video obtained from the nearby library shows Columbini being struck by the SUV as it turns left from Blue Point Avenue onto Middle Road, then shows the SUV fleeing the scene east on Middle Road, police said.
Columbini was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition, police said. His recovery status was not immediately clear on Monday.
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.”
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