Driver involved in Melville street race arrested, cops say

A driver who police said was involved in a Melville street race was arrested Sunday night, his car impounded.

Fernando Romero-Alvarado, 35, of New Jersey Avenue, Bay Shore, was charged with participating in an unauthorized speed contest, as well as with reckless driving and third-degree unlawful flight from a police officer in a vehicle, Suffolk County police said.

Romero-Alvarado pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday in First District Court in Central Islip and was released on his own recognizance.

The judge also temporarily suspended his license, said his attorney, Anthony Scheller of Central Islip. Scheller said his client denies being part of a speed contest.

Police said Second Precinct Officer Jesus Faya, responding to a call on Melville Park Road at 11:15 p.m., found about 60 to 70 vehicles gathered along the street -- and two drivers, Romero-Alvarado among them, preparing for a race near Maxess Road.

Seeing the officer, police said everyone fled.

But Faya was able to stop Romero-Alvarado, whose green 1996 Honda Civic also was impounded by police.

With Ellen Yan

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”