BRENTWOOD MAN INDICTED FOR FLEEING THE SCENE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH THAT LEFT MOTORCYCLIST DEAD

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Manuel Gomez, 46, of Brentwood, was indicted for Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, and other related charges, for allegedly operating a motor vehicle while his privilege to drive in New York State was suspended, and then leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in the death of Andres Eloy Khammach La Cruz, 31, of Brentwood.

“The individual charged allegedly was operating a vehicle while their New York State driving privileges were suspended. A 31-year-old motorcyclist lost his life in this tragic event, and we intend to seek justice for him and his loved ones, “said District Attorney Tierney. “As this is an ongoing investigation, we are limited in the details we can provide at this time.”

According to the investigation, on July 29, 2024, at approximately 7:22 p.m., Gomez was allegedly driving a 2008 Ford Explorer southbound on Wicks Road in Brentwood with two passengers inside. As Gomez attempted to make a left-hand turn from Wicks Road onto Bradley Street, a northbound motorcycle operated by La Cruz collided with the rear of the Ford Explorer. Gomez subsequently pulled the car over and he and his passengers exited the vehicle. All three individuals allegedly left the crash location on foot before police arrival and without checking on the well-being of the victim. La Cruz was pronounced dead at South Shore University Hospital.  At the time of the crash, Gomez’s privilege to drive in New York was suspended.

On September 3, 2024, Gomez was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins, for the following charges:

• Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a Class D felony; and
• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, an Unclassified misdemeanor.

Justice Collins ordered Gomez held on $80,000 cash, $160,000 bond or $800,000 partially secured bond. His next court date is September 20, 2024. Gomez is being represented by Stephen LaMagna, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Rosenheck of the Vehicular Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance by Detective Valentin Rosado of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Major Case Unit.

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Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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