Police renew reward offer in hit-and-run that killed Melville man on LIE 1 year ago

Suffolk police renewed their reward offer Tuesday for information leading to an arrest in the hit-and-run death of a Melville man after he exited his vehicle a year ago on the LIE in Ronkonkoma.

On Dec. 5, 2022, at about 8 p.m., Robert Twiford, 61, of Melville, parked his vehicle on the off ramp of eastbound Long Island Expressway at Exit 60. He then exited the vehicle, and while in the lane of travel, was struck by a car whose male driver failed to stop, police said.

A short time later, the driver stopped at Garrity Avenue in Ronkonkoma, exited his car, and examined it with a flashlight, according to police at the time.

The car was described as a light-colored, possibly gray 2015 to 2018 Ford Focus hatchback, police said.

Twiford was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

An unspecified cash reward for information leading to an arrest, which had initially been offered last December, remained in place Tuesday, Suffolk police said.

Anyone with information can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS

Originally from West Babylon, Twiford was survived by his wife, three children and a granddaughter, according to a death notice.