Bail Set At $1 Million For Retired NYPD Officer Charged In Deadly Hit-And-Run
Our motor vehicle attorneys have learned that a retired NYPD officer has been charged with the hit and run death of a 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome in Levittown, New York.
CBS New York reports:
Bail for Michael Elardo, 48, of Syosset was set at $1 million during his arraignment in First District Court in Hempstead.
Elardo, who is a retired, disabled and decorated 13-year veteran of the NYPD, surrendered to police on Monday and was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, authorities said.
What Is The Police’s Side Of The Story?
Police said Elardo fled the scene after he blew a red light and hit 13-year-old Bryanna Soplin as she crossed Hempstead Turnpike early Sunday.
“There was impact, but he didn’t believe he hit anybody,” attorney Michael DerGarabedian said. “This is one of the most dangerous intersections in the United States. What he believed he hit was one of those construction cones.”
As CBS 2′s Carolyn Gusoff reported, Elardo claims that he received an emergency phone call from one of his children seconds before the crash. The call was cut off and Elardo said he looked back, and decided to rush home when he didn’t see anything.
Bryanna’s mother, Jennifer Curuchaga, said that’s no excuse.
“If it was a piece of garbage, if it was an animal, a raccoon, a dog, a person, you should have stopped,” Curuchaga said. “It doesn’t matter what you hit. Your car got damaged. Why would you not stop knowing that your front light came off or to see what the damage is. What happened?”
Curuchaga said Bryanna had been tucked into bed Saturday night, but just after midnight, she was discovered missing.
“I looked – she wasn’t there,” Curuchaga said.
What Is The Theory Behind Her Death?
Her parents said Bryanna likely went out a backdoor and was trying to walk to her grandparents house nearly two miles away when she was hit.
First responders performed CPR on Bryanna after she was struck, but to no avail, her mother said. The girl was taken to a hospital, where she died hours later, police said.
“She’s my life. She’s my oxygen. She’s my oxygen,” said Bryanna’s grandmother, Patricia Curuchaga. “I can’t believe it.”
Witnesses claimed they saw Bryanna knock on the door of a closing business, but she was turned away.
“They just closed the door and said, ‘We’re closed,’ and she turned around kept on walking,” Curuchaga said.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Traffic cameras may show the speed of Elardo’s vehicle and who had the right of way.
“We are waiting for the results of several more witness interviews and also, I’m waiting for results from of the cameras that are located at that intersection,” Nassau County Police Det. Lt. John Azzata said.
Police said other cars were stopped at the light, Gusoff reported.
Many of Elardo’s neighbors were shocked to learn that he had been charged in the crash. They described him as a nice guy who was very friendly.
“I feel bad for him,” one woman told WCBS 880′s Mike Xirinachs. “I feel very bad for him. I’m sure it was an accident.”
“He’s always done everything right, he always is there to help everyone. This is just a horrible accident,” said Elardo’s uncle, Robert Nicholetti.
The single father of four children faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
If you have any questions about an accident that happened to you or a loved one, please feel free to contact the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, PPLC. Our attorneys are here to help you.
Contact us by e-mail or call one of our lawyers at 212-962-1020 (toll-free at 877-MSL-4LAW or 877-675-4529) to schedule a free initial consultation.