Police: Man dies after being hit by car in Port Jefferson

A homeless man who lived in the Port Jefferson area died after being struck by a car Monday evening as he pushed a shopping cart across Route 25A near Maple Place in Port Jefferson, Suffolk County police said.

The fatal accident occurred at 6:25 p.m., police said.

Police identified the victim as Paul Kearins, 48, saying he was "undomiciled." After being struck, police said Kearins was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Police said Kearins was attempting to cross Route 25A when he was struck by a 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser driven by Dadang Koswara, 60, of Port Jefferson. Koswara was not injured in the crash.

Police said the vehicle struck the shopping cart, shoving it into Kearins -- and causing the fatal injuries.

Koswara, who remained at the scene, was not charged.

The PT Cruiser was impounded for a safety check. Police ask anyone with information about the accident to call Sixth Squad detectives at 631-854-8652.

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.”