Patchogue man in critical condition after hit-run

A Patchogue man is in critical condition after being struck by a hit-and-run driver as he crossed a highway in Patchogue early Sunday, Suffolk County police said.

Walter Orlando Matute Penaranda, 24, was crossing Montauk Highway east of Bay Avenue about 4:20 a.m. when he was hit by a vehicle, police said.

The driver of the vehicle then drove off, according to police.

Penaranda, who was critically injured, was taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue for emergency surgery. He was listed in critical condition.

Police are searching for the driver of the vehicle that hit Penaranda. The vehicle was described as a gray or silver two-door sedan with a rear spoiler, and it might have been an older model Honda, according to police.

Anyone who might have seen the crash or who knows anything about this case is asked to call the Vehicular Crime Unit at 631-852-6555 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 800-220-TIPS. Calls will be kept confidential.