Ronkonkoma man arrested in hit-run of bicyclist, cops say

A Ronkonkoma man faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident in Holbrook that seriously injured a bicyclist nearly three weeks ago, Suffolk County police said Friday.

John Farina, 50, of Pamlico Avenue, was arrested early Friday at the Sixth Precinct on a charge of leaving the scene without reporting a serious physical injury.

Farina was arraigned Friday at First District Court in Central Islip and released on $5,000 cash bail. It was not clear Friday afternoon if he had an attorney; the Suffolk District Attorney's office did not reply to requests for information Friday.

Farina could not be reached Friday evening.

Police said Farina was driving a box truck on Veterans Memorial Highway at about 8:55 p.m. on Oct. 6 when he struck a bicyclist and then left the scene.

The bicyclist, Bradley J. Samuel, 43, of East Patchogue, was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition with head injuries; he is now in serious condition, police said.

Both the truck and Samuel were traveling east on the roadway, west of Coates Avenue, at the time of the accident, police said.

Det. Sgt. James Madden said police impounded Farina's truck and parts recovered at the accident scene -- including an insert from the passenger-side mirror -- were matched to the truck by the Suffolk County crime lab.

"Great work by the crime lab," Madden said.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on the accident to contact the Vehicular Crime Unit at 631-852-6555 or to call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477. All calls will be kept confidential.

With Ellen Yan