Police search for driver in fatal Peconic pedestrain hit and run

Police are searching for the driver of a white van who allegedly hit and dragged the body of a pedestrian several feet before fleeing the scene of the fatal three-car accident in Peconic Sunday night.

The pedestrian, Nery Javier-Lopez, 31, died just after 11 p.m. Sunday night after being hit by three vehicles, including the white van, at the intersection of Route 48 and Henry’s Lane in Peconic, Southold Town Police said.

Police said Mr. Javier-Lopez was walking on the westbound side of Route 48 when he was struck by a car driven by 50-year-old George Apostolou.

Mr. Apostolou stopped his car on the side of the road after the accident. Police said witnesses reported that Mr. Javier-Lopez was then struck by the white van, which dragged him down the road lodged under the undercarriage of the van for a short way before he was dislodged. The van then drove away without stopping.

Police said that Mr. Javier-Lopez was then struck by another car driven by Robert Carpentere III, 29. Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Apostolou were both parked on the side of the road waiting for police when they responded to the accident.

Police did not release the hometowns of those involved.

The Suffolk County Crime Lab responded to the scene, and police are asking any witnesses with additional information to call 765-2600.