Thomas Maloney, 79, of Long Beach, killed crossing street, police say

A 79-year-old man crossing the street was struck and killed Sunday in Long Beach, according to the Nassau County Police Department.

Thomas Maloney, of Long Beach, had been crossing West Park Avenue in the southern direction when a 58-year-old driver in a 2019 blue BMW SUV traveling east on the avenue struck him, the department wrote in a news release.

Maloney sustained "severe trauma" and was brought to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the release, which said the driver stayed at the crash scene.

No further details of the crash, including the cause or who was at fault, were provided. Police on Sunday said the pedestrian, who they did not name, was 77, but on Monday they released Maloney's name and said he was 79.

Less than a week ago, a 77-year-old man trying to cross Montauk Highway in Lindenhurst was struck and killed by two drivers traveling in opposite directions, according to Suffolk police.

Newsday has reported that Long Island roads are among New York’s deadliest to walk and bike on, but drivers involved in crashes that kill pedestrians and bicyclists rarely face criminal charges.

In 2024, 308 pedestrians in New York were killed by drivers of motor vehicles, including 63 on Long Island: 26 in Nassau and 37 in Suffolk, according to statistics tallied by the University at Albany-based Institute for Traffic Safety Management & Research.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.