Police: Pedestrian killed by pickup truck in Riverhead

A 47-year-old Levittown woman was struck by a pickup truck and killed late Sunday in Riverhead, police said.

April L. Varela was crossing Old Country Road at Kroemer Avenue, headed north to south, when she was struck by the westbound Chevrolet pickup at 11:30 p.m., State Police said. The location is east of the Tanger outlet center and another shopping mall across from Riverhead Raceway.

The driver, Michael G. Kitz, 25, of Wading River, remained at the scene and tried to render first aid. Kitz was not charged.

Police said Varela suffered head injuries and was transported to the Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead, where she was pronounced dead.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the accident to call them at 631-756-3300.

CORRECTION: The victim’s last name was incorrect in a previous version of this story because of incorrect information provided by State Police.

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.”