Man Backs Out Of Driveway, Runs Over Pedestrian, Flees: Police

SHIRLEY, NY — A Shirley man was charged with leaving the scene of a crash that left a pedestrian injured, police said.

According to Suffolk County Police, the incident took place on Friday at 9:55 p.m.in Shirley. Michael Gruce, 50, driving a 2008 Ford Econoline van, was backing out of a driveway on Winston Drive when he struck and ran over a male pedestrian, police said. Gruce left the scene in the Ford, police said.

The victim was transported to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Gruce was located and arrested on Weeks Avenue in Manorville at 11:35 p.m. and charged with first degree leaving the scene of an accident and second degree reckless endangerment, police said. He was held overnight at the Seventh Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip Saturday morning, police said.