Police release photo of truck involved in hit-run of cyclist in Holbrook

Investigators have identified the kind of truck that struck -- and critically injured -- a 43-year-old bicyclist in a hit-and-run crash Monday evening in Holbrook, police said.

And, Suffolk County police said, not only did investigators recover identifying mirror glass at the scene, but they have video surveillance footage of the box truck itself.

The hit-and-run occurred on eastbound Veterans Memorial Highway, just west of Coates Avenue, at 8:55 p.m. Police said the truck involved is a 2012 or newer Hino Series 200 or Series 300 box truck -- an image of which was captured by surveillance cameras in the area.

The bicyclist struck was identified as Bradley J. Samuel, of East Patchogue, who police said was headed east when he was hit by the eastbound vehicle.

Samuel was taken by Holbrook Ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he remained in critical condition Friday morning with head injuries, police said.

Police said Vehicular Crime Unit detectives believe the mounting bracket for the mirror and the mirror housing may still be on the truck that struck Samuel. Police have released a photo of the truck in question, as well as a photograph of the type of truck being sought.

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is being asked to call the Vehicular Crime Unit at 631-852-6555 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential, and callers are eligible for a cash reward for any information leading to an arrest in the case.

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.”