Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Tuesday that Silvia Alvarez DeReyes, 46, has been indicted for Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting.
The El Salvador national allegedly struck and killed 45-year-old Ever Eli Damian Mazat of Riverside while he was crossing the street in Riverhead.
“This case underscores the serious consequences of fleeing the scene of a crash,” said DA Tierney.
On October 5th, at approximately 7:19 p.m., Alvarez DeReyes’ 1999 Toyota Corolla was traveling northbound on Flanders Road. She allegedly drove through a crosswalk where the victim was walking and came to a brief stop before driving off.
The victim died at the scene. Meanwhile, the defendant allegedly failed to seek help or contact police, instead going to a friend’s house in Mastic after the collision.
Two hours later, Alvarez DeReyes allegedly returned to the crash site with friends, where she was placed under immediate arrest. The Toyota Corolla was later recovered at the Mastic home and secured as evidence in the ongoing investigation.
On October 28th, Alvarez DeReyes was produced pursuant to a writ from the custody of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS-ICE).
Held on $25,000 cash bail, she was arraigned before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski on one count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting and one count of Operating a Motor Vehicle Outside the Class of License, a traffic infraction.
Alvarez DeReyes — who reportedly only has a learner’s permit — faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.
“When someone leaves the injured behind without contacting the police, they not only break the law but betray the basic standards of decency our community expects,” Tierney continued.
“Our office will continue to pursue justice for victims and hold offenders accountable.”