40-Year-Old Charged With Leaving The Scene, Tampering With Evidence In Fatal Freeport Crash: PD

FREEPORT, NY — A 40-year-old man was arrested Saturday evening in connection with the Wednesday afternoon crash that took the life of 66-year-old Freeport resident Narciso Guerra Lopez, police said.

Nassau County police said Saturday that 40-year-old Michael Bonner was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death and tampering with physical evidence after the crash. According to police, Lopez was crossing Merrick Road Wednesday night when he was struck by a then unknown eastbound vehicle. Lopez was hospitalized and listed in critical condition after the crash, police said, with a Saturday update confirming that he had died.

Police said Bonner's arraignment was scheduled for Sunday in Hempstead. When asked for comment, Bonner's attorney, Raymond Baierlein said he was awaiting discovery documents to show how police had identified his client as the driver in the case. As far as the tampering charge, Baierlein said it pertained to a distinctive red sticker on the rear of Bonner's car. Bonner is due back in court Wednesday, court documents show.