East Farmingdale Man Indicted for Fatal Hit-and-Run on Southern State: DA

An East Farmingdale man accused of leaving the scene after fatally striking a pedestrian who crashed a stolen box truck in October could face up to seven years in prison for his actions, Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said.

According to authorities, Wilkens Thelusma, 37, was arraigned Friday for leaving the scene of a fatal crash.

On Oct. 15, Thelusma was driving a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe on the Southern State Parkway in Hempstead when he struck and killed Rick Munoz, 27, of Oyster Bay, at 1:47 a.m., the DA said.

“This defendant allegedly struck a man on the Southern State Parkway, and instead of calling 911 and alerting authorities that a man lay dying on the highway, he fled the scene,” Singas said in a press release.

Munoz was driving a box truck he stole from New York City when he crashed the vehicle into the parkway’s center guide rail, police said. Munoz, his passenger Joel Padilla, 27, of the Bronx, and a black dog exited the truck, which was when Munoz walked into the roadway and was struck by Thelusma’s vehicle. The dog was also struck by a vehicle and killed, police said.

Authorities were able to determine who killed Munoz, which led to the arrest of Thelusma three days later on Oct. 18., the DA said.

Thelusma faces up to 2-1/3 to 7 years in prison. His bail status was continued at $50,000 cash or bond and he is due back in court on Jan. 12.

Image via NYS Police