Woman Indicted for Fatally Striking Bicyclist in Carle Place: DA

A 22-year-old Florida woman was arraigned Thursday for allegedly driving drunk, fatally striking a bicyclist and driving away from the scene in Carle Place in October.

Melissa McKiski, 22, was arraigned on the following charges:

• Second degree manslaughter
• Second degree vehicular manslaughter
• Second degree assault
• Leaving the scene of an incident without reporting
• Second degree reckless endangerment
• Two counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol
• Operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs
• Operating a motor vehicle while impaired by combined use of drugs and alcohol.
• Reckless driving
• Failure to exercise due care in violations of VTL 1146(A)

On Oct. 1, McKiski, who grew up in Hicksville, 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.

Police said McKiski fled the scene of the crash and 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.

McKiski could face up to 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top charge.

“Fleeing the scene of crashes is far too common in our state and this incident is another reminder that we must strengthen our laws against defendants in fatal hit and run collisions,” Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said in a press release.

McKiski’s bail was continued at $50,000 cash or bond, with the conditions that she not apply for a passport or leave the jurisdictions of Nassau, Suffolk or Queens counties without permission of the court.

She is due back in court on Feb. 23.

Editor’s Note: Patch originally reported McKiski pleaded guilty. That information is incorrect and has been fixed. Patch regrets this error.

Image via NCPD