Drunken Driver Sentenced to Prison for Fatal Carle Place Hit-and-Run

A 23-year-old Florida woman was sentenced Wednesday to serve two to six years in prison for driving drunk, fatally striking a bicyclist and fleeing the scene in Carle Place in 2015, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office said.

Melissa McKiski, who grew up in Hicksville, pleaded guilty in September to the following charges:

• Second degree manslaughter
• Second degree vehicular manslaughter
• Leaving the scene of an incident without reporting
• Second degree reckless endangerment
• operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol

The NCDA recommended 4 to 12 years in prison. She was indicted on 11 charges in January 2016.

“This driver was drunk and high when she hit and killed 22 year-old Charles Velazquez as he rode his bike, then she fled the scene to hide her crime without even calling to get medical help for her dying victim,” NCDA Madeline Singas said in a press release. “Nassau Police quickly apprehended [McKiski], but the tragic consequences of her recklessness cost this innocent young man his life.”

On Oct. 1 2015, McKiski was driving westbound on Old Country Road when she struck a bicyclist traveling eastbound in the westbound curb lane at 12:36 a.m., police said.

The bicyclist, identified as Charles Velasquez, 22, of Queens, was riding with two other cyclists when police said his bicycle was thrown into the parking lot of a nearby shopping center. The crash left a large debris field that included parts of McKiski’s car.

Police said McKiski fled the scene of the crash and was in possession of a cell phone but did not use it to call for help.

Other bicyclists called 911 and McKiski was apprehended by officers near Herricks Road and Helen Road in Mineola.

Velasquez was taken to Winthrop University Hospital where he was pronounced dead by hospital staff at 4:32 a.m.

Image via NCDA