Pedestrian airlifted to hospital after hit-and-run in Hampton Bays. Driver later told police he'd 'struck a deer.'
Southampton Town Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash in Hampton Bays on Thursday night. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
A pedestrian struck in a hit-and-run crash in Hampton Bays was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries on Thursday evening, Southampton Town Police said. A driver later responded to police headquarters, telling police he believed he had "struck a deer."
Police have not released the identities of anyone involved in the crash, but the driver was interviewed, his vehicle impounded and the investigation is ongoing, police said.
The crash occurred on Old Riverhead Road West, west of Squires Boulevard around 7:40 p.m.
Responding officers said the vehicle involved had left the scene and the pedestrian was airlifted. Detectives then closed the road for about two hours to conduct their investigation, police said.
The driver later arrived at police headquarters to report "he thought he had struck a deer," police said in a statement on Friday.
Additional information was not immediately available. Police are asking anyone with information regarding the crash to contact detectives at 631-702-2230 or 631-728-3400.
John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.
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