A Central Islip man on Long Island is accused of driving off after hitting a toddler and the child's mother with a truck. The case has drawn attention both for the young age of the victim and for the allegation that the driver left the scene before being tracked down and arrested.
Police say the incident began when a two year old boy tried to run into the street. His mother ran after him in an effort to pull him back to safety, a split second reaction that placed both of them in the path of danger outside a busy storefront.
The collision happened outside a deli on Conklin Street, with authorities placing the time at around four o'clock the previous afternoon. The location, a neighborhood spot where people come and go throughout the day, added to the concern about pedestrian safety in the area.
Both the child and his mother were hurt in the crash. The two year old boy suffered a cut on his leg, while his 28 year old mother sustained hip and leg injuries. Emergency responders took both of them to the hospital for treatment following the collision.
Rather than remaining at the scene to check on the pair or wait for police, the driver of the truck is accused of leaving, turning what might have been an accident into a hit and run investigation that quickly focused on identifying and locating the person behind the wheel.
Investigators later identified a suspect, and 27 year old Elvin Mahano Diaz was arrested in connection with the case. His arrest brought an initial resolution to the search for the driver accused of striking the mother and child before driving away.
Following his arrest, Diaz was released on an appearance ticket, meaning he is expected to answer the charges in court at a later date rather than being held in custody. The mother and child, meanwhile, were left to recover from injuries suffered in the sudden and frightening collision.