Michael Chiapperini, of Melville, fatally struck by vehicle while crossing Walt Whitman Road, police say
Suffolk police said a Melville man was killed Thursday night while crossing Walt Whitman Road. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto/kali9
A 72-year-old Melville man died after he was struck by a vehicle while walking in a crosswalk in his neighborhood Thursday night, Suffolk police said.
Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are investigating the crash, which happened around 7:30 p.m.
Michael Chiapperini was walking east in the crosswalk on Walt Whitman Road at Fletcher Place when he was hit by a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe that was traveling north on Walt Whitman Road, police said.
Chiapperini was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, where he was pronounced dead, according to police.
The driver of the Tahoe and his front seat passenger were not injured.
Detectives said they believe the driver had the right of way according to people at the scene.
The vehicle was impounded for a safety check.
Shortly after the fatal crash, a motorcyclist was critically injured in Lake Ronkonkoma, police said.
Around 8:06 p.m., an eastbound 2023 Chevrolet Colorado on Portion Road was turning left onto Cenacle Road when it collided with a westbound 2015 Yamaha motorcycle.
The motorcyclist, a 32-year-old Ronkonkoma man, was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition. The driver of the Chevrolet was not injured, police said.
Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks. Anyone with information on the crash can contact Sixth Squad detectives at 631-854-8652.
More coverage: Every 7 minutes on average a traffic crash causing death, injury or significant property damage happens on Long Island. A Newsday investigation found that traffic crashes killed more than 2,100 people between 2014 and 2023 and seriously injured more than 16,000 people. To search for fatal crashes in your area, click here.
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