Arrest Made In East Patchogue Hit-And-Run That Killed Legally Blind Man

EAST PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Suffolk County police said a tip from the public led to the arrest of a man wanted in a hit-and-run that killed a legally blind pedestrian.

Ruddy Velasquez Morales, 27, of Bellport is charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death in connection with Sunday's incident in East Patchogue.

Surveillance cameras captured the collision that killed Warren Karstendick, 64, as he walked with a cane alongside the bicycle lane on Main Street. The driver was seen behind the wheel just moments afterward, continuing on with obvious front-end damage to his sport-utility vehicle.

"The car clearly did not make any attempt to stop," Police Commissioner Tim Sini said.

Police have also recovered the damaged vehicle, Sini said.

"The vehicle is consistent with hitting a human being," Sini said.

Police said relatives told them Karstendick would usually ask someone to escort him. The question remained unanswered as to why he did not on this occasion.

Morales is expected to be arraigned Thursday.