Man Accused In Fatal Hit-And-Run Washed Off SUV: DA

GOSHEN, NY — A Westchester man was accused of a hit-and-run incident that caused the death of volunteer firefighter. A grand jury charged Rene Morataya, 55, of Mount Kisco, with leaving the scene of an accident and two counts of tampering with physical evidence, both felonies, as well as misdemeanor reckless driving, the Times-Herald Record said.

Authorities said George Guy, 62, of Highland Falls, was killed when he was unable to avoid hitting Morataya's tan-colored Toyota 4-Runner when it was making an illegal U-turn on Route 9W in the Town of Highlands Oct. 1.

Guy was ejected from his motorcycle and died at the scene, police said.

Morataya fled the scene in his heavily damaged SUV, according to authorities.

Morataya was located and arrested Oct. 2.

At his arraignment Tuesday, prosecutors said Guy's shoe was found in Morataya's vehicle and the side mirror was left in the roadway on Route 9W, the Times-Herald Record reported.

Authorities also said that, after Morataya left the accident scene, he went to his brother's home where he hosed off the SUV.

He has been held at the Orange County Jail on $20,000 bail or $60,000 bond and returns to court for a conference Jan. 9.

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