Cops seek hit-run driver in Selden crash

Suffolk County police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who fled the scene of a crash in Selden on Wednesday that left a motorcyclist in critical condition.

Police said William Ventura, 22, of Holtsville was riding a 2007 Suzuki motorcycle east on Route 25 at about 9 p.m. when he rear-ended a Toyota 4Runner driven by Joanna Wudarkiewicz-Tarach, 44, of Selden.

As the motorcycle lay on the ground after the collision, it was hit by a silver or gray sport-utility vehicle driven by a woman who looked to be about 50 years old, police said.

The woman got out of the SUV and spoke to Wudarkiewicz-Tarach before getting back in her vehicle and fleeing, police said.

The woman did not identify herself, and Wudarkiewicz-Tarach did not get her license-plate number, said Det. Lt. Tom O'Heir of the Sixth Squad.

Ventura was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where O'Heir said he was in critical condition but expected to survive.

O'Heir said it was unclear if the hit-and-run driver struck Ventura as well as his motorcycle, or just the bike. He said there was no criminality suspected in the first collision between the motorcycle and the 4Runner.

"The other driver should have just stayed around and exchanged information," he said. "But now it could be quite serious for the second driver."

Police ask anyone with information about this case to contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 800-220-TIPS.