Driver in fatal Peconic hit-run sought

Southold Town Police are looking for the driver of a white van who fled the scene after dragging the body of a pedestrian Sunday night in his vehicle's undercarriage on a Peconic road, leaving the dead victim and two other drivers involved in the accident.

In a news release, police said Monday the victim, Nery Javier-Lopez, 31, was walking near the intersection of Middle Road, County Road 48, and Henry's Lane at 11:03 p.m. when he "walked into the path" of a car driven by George Apostolou, 50.

After being hit by the vehicle, Javier-Lopez was then struck by the van and dragged westbound on County Road 48. After being dislodged from the van's undercarriage, his body was then hit by another vehicle, driven by Robert Carpenter III, 29, which also was traveling westbound.

Police did not provide the names of towns or villages of residence for the victim or the drivers. Carpenter and Apostolou remained at the scene, police said.

Southold detectives are asking anyone with information on the accident to call Town Police at 631-765-2600.