Grief counselors at Newfield High School after student killed in hit-and-run crash

Grief counselors will be on hand Monday at Newfield High School after, authorities said, a student from Selden was killed by a hit-and-run driver Saturday night in Port Jefferson Station.

Jenna Perez, 17, was crossing the Nesconset Highway southbound, about 300 feet west of Terryville Road, when she was hit by a vehicle that police believe was traveling west on Nesconset Highway about 9:25 p.m., authorities said.

The driver fled, police said. Investigators have not released a description of the vehicle.

Perez was a student at Newfield High School, according to Dr. Roberta Gerold, the superintendent of Middle Country Central School District.

The district “is saddened by the sudden death of Newfield High School student Jenna Perez,” Gerold said in a statement. “The district sends it deepest condolences to her family and friends. Counseling will be made available tomorrow at the high school for her classmates, teachers and staff members.”

Perez was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician’s assistant from the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office. Detectives asked anyone with information to call the Major Case Unit at 631-852-6555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

By David M. Schwartz

dschwar1@newsday.com,michael.okeeffe@newsday.comschwartznewsNY,

David Schwartz covers environmental issues. A native Long Islander, he's worked at Newsday since 2013.