Tips sought in fatal Selden hit-run

Suffolk police want to find the driver of a dark-colored sport utility vehicle that struck and killed a father of three over the weekend as he walked on Middle Country Road in Selden to buy cigarettes.

Marijan Crnkovic, 58, was going from his apartment to a convenience store for a pack of Newports shortly before 7:30 p.m. Saturday, his family said.

As he tried to cross Middle Country just east of Selden Court, an SUV with tinted windows struck him and continued east, police said.

Det. Sgt. James Madden of the Sixth Squad asked anyone with information on the hit and run, any witnesses and anyone who sees an SUV that fits the description with body damage, to please come forward.

Crnkovic was born in Croatia and became a permanent resident of the United States after travels in the Croatian Navy brought him to New York City, said his daughter Natalija Crnkovic of Jamaica, Queens.

"He went around the world and ended up docking in Brooklyn and ended up trying to live the American dream," said Natalija Crnkovic, 31.

Crnkovic married an American woman and had two children in addition to Natalija -- a daughter who lives in West Islip and a son who lives in Medford and who worked with his father installing floors. Her parents divorced but remained in touch, Natalija Crnkovic said.

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She said her father was a "good-hearted" and generous man and through tears warned whoever struck him and drove away that they will be caught.

"They must have no heart," she said. "I don't know how they are going to sleep at night."

The Sixth Squad can be reached at 631-854-8652 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS.