Motorist stopped for dog hurt in hit-run, Suffolk police say

A female motorist who stopped to help a dog on a roadway in Suffolk County was struck and injured by a hit-and-run driver, police said.

The 36-year-old woman was taken to a hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening and the dog, a pit bull, was dead at the scene, Suffolk County police said.

The woman was driving south on Fifth Avenue at 10:46 p.m. Monday when she stopped to help the dog near Inchcape Road on the border between Brentwood and North Bay Shore, police said.

Another southbound vehicle, a gray sedan, hit her and left the scene, police said.

Police identified Oscar Canales-Cruz, 36, of Bay Shore, as the driver of the 2007 Honda Civic that struck the woman. He was arrested shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

Canales-Cruz was charged with leaving the scene of an incident with injuries and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, police said. His arraignment has not yet been scheduled, police said.