Suffolk cops: 4 pedestrians struck, killed

Police are looking for drivers involved in two fatal hit-and-runs in Bay Shore and Peconic and investigating two other crashes that killed two and critically injured a third Monday and Sunday.

Suffolk police are seeking the public's help in finding the driver of a car that ran down Nelson Mendoza, 52, as he crossed Fifth Avenue in Bay Shore at about 1:45 a.m. Sunday, said Det. Sgt. Tony Lavista of the Third Squad.

Mendoza, who was crossing north of Candlewood Drive, was pronounced dead at the scene. The car, possibly a dark Toyota, has front-end damage and a broken windshield, police said.

In another Sunday incident, Southold Town Police are looking for the driver of a van who hit a man who had already been struck by another vehicle.

Nery Javier-Lopez, 31, was walking near the intersection of Middle Road and County Road 48 and Henry's Lane in Peconic at 11:03 p.m. when he walked in front of a car driven by George Apostolou, 50, police said.

After being hit, Javier-Lopez was struck by a white van and dragged along the road. He was then hit by a third vehicle driven by Robert Carpenter III, 29. The driver of the van fled. The other drivers were not cited.

Suffolk police Monday were also trying to identify two people run down by an alleged drunken driver in North Amityville.

The driver, Richard Hughes, 49, of East Islip, was southbound on Route 110 as he approached Ritter Avenue just before 6 a.m., according to Det. Sgt. John Kempf of the First Squad.

The pair were walking south on the west side of Route 110 when Hughes hit them from behind and jumped onto the curb, police said. The woman, Merell Jerman, 51, of North Amityville, was pronounced dead at the scene. The man, Breuton Byrd, 18, of North Amityville, was taken to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, where he was listed in critical condition.

Hughes was charged with drunken driving. He is scheduled for arraignment Tuesday in First District Court in Central Islip. He has no known prior criminal history.

No charges have been filed against a Southampton woman who struck and killed a pedestrian in Holbrook.

Melanie Beczak, 53, of Southampton, was at the wheel of a 2010 Honda Accord on Nicolls Road when she hit Edward Fulford, 22, of Massapequa, near Furrows Road at about 9 p.m. Sunday, Suffolk police said.

Fulford was taken by ambulance to Stony Brook University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Suffolk police are asking anyone with information regarding the Bay Shore, North Amityville, or Holbrook crashes to call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. Southold Town Police can be reached at 631-765-2600.

With John Valenti