One year after a fatal hit and run crash in Patchogue, Suffolk County Police made an arrest of the person who they believe was behind the wheel of a vehicle that fled the scene.
It was March 12th, 2023 when 25-year-old Nicholas Puzio was struck by two cars one minute apart and later died at Long Island Community Hospital.
The driver of the first car that hit Puzio at the early morning hours on Medford Avenue, 19-year-old Jurado-Zavala, of Les Street in Bay Shore, was arrested last year and charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident with a Fatality.
He entered a plea of not guilty to those charges and is awaiting trial.
For over a year police searched for the second vehicle that also struck Puzio one minute later.
Cops believe they now have their man.
Police placed Patchogue resident Jesus Matute under arrest and charged him with Leaving the Scene of an Accident with a Fatality.
Law enforcement said the 73-year-old was behind the wheel of a 2005 Nissan SUV that was the second car that took off after Puzio was hit and killed.
Police are still investigating the fatal hit and run crash. Anyone with information is asked to call Major Case Unit detectives at 631-852-6553 or Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.