Man Indicted In Fatal Hit-And-Run: Suffolk Police

RONKONKOMA, NY — A man was arrested and indicted Thursday in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that left a pedestrian dead in Ronkonkoma in October, authorities said.

Qiulong Chen, 35, of Ronkonkoma, was delivering food while driving his 2015 Honda CRV when he struck Joseph Biggica, 59, of Ronkonkoma, who was walking on Remington Boulevard, at 6:17 p.m. Oct. 25, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said. Chen then drove away, Suffolk police said.

A passing motorist called 911 after seeing Biggica unresponsive in the road a few minutes later, police said. Biggica was pronounced dead at Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue, police said.

An autopsy determined the man’s injuries were consistent with being struck by a vehicle, police said. Law enforcement said they recovered video surveillance from the scene which captured the crash.

Chen replaced his car's broken windshield the next morning at a Suffolk County bodyshop, Tierney said. Detectives recovered Chen’s vehicle several days later, which still had damage to its hood, in the parking lot of his business, officials said.

"The defendant not only allegedly left an innocent person to die on the side of the road, but also
attempted to cover it up," Tierney said via news release. "My office will continue to hold drivers
who hit pedestrians and flee to avoid prosecution accountable, especially those who then make a
conscious effort to further impede law enforcement’s investigation. This indictment is the first step in securing justice for the victim’s family, and we will continue to aggressively prosecute this
case."

Chen was indicted with leaving the scene of an incident without reporting (a class D felony) and tampering with physical evidence (a class E felony). If convicted on the top charge, he faces up to 2-1/3 to 7 years in prison.

Chen was held on $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond or $250,000 partially secured bond. He is due back in court on March 30. He is being represented by Kassen Law Firm.