Investigators release description of vehicle suspected in hit-run that killed Lorenzo Fuentes

Investigators now believe a silver or gray 2014 or 2015 Jeep -- either a Cherokee, Limited or Sport Latitude edition -- is the type and style of vehicle that struck and killed a pedestrian in a hit-and-run crash early Sunday on Motor Parkway in Central Islip.

Suffolk County police said Tuesday the vehicle "sustained damage to the passenger side headlight and passenger side view mirror."

Investigators urge anyone with information about the driver, the vehicle or the crash to call Vehicular Crime Unit detectives at 631-852-6555 -- or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential, police said.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Highland Road at 4:50 a.m. Sunday. Police said Lorenzo Fuentes, 64, of Central Islip, was walking along Motor Parkway when he was struck by the eastbound vehicle, which then fled. Fuentes died at the scene.

Police initially described the suspect vehicle as a silver-metallic late model Dodge or Chrysler with damage to the front and passenger side.

The description was updated based on evidence recovered from the fatal crash scene.

The Jeep brand is an owned subsidiary of Chrysler.

The accident scene was between Calebs Path and Church Drive. Family said Fuentes was walking to a bus stop on his way to work at a factory where he produced metal objects.

A married father of seven children, Fuentes also was a grandfather and held several jobs, his niece, Sandra Fuentes said. Among those jobs, Fuentes worked at Hyde Park Mouldings in Hauppauge.

Lorenzo Fuentes emigrated from El Salvador about 20 years ago. "He was always around his community," Sandra Fuentes, 24, of Central Islip, said. "He is best known around Central Islip; he was outgoing, always talkative.

"He was a great uncle, a great son, a father," his niece said. "He was always there for other people; his laugh will always be memorable to everyone and God bless him."

With Scott Eidler and John Asbury

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.”