Within hours of a deadly hit-and-run on the Upper East Side, police say the driver who allegedly took off was tracked down and arrested.
“I’m glad you guys caught the driver, and it’s just unfortunate,” Upper East Side resident Denise Gonzalez says.
What You Need To Know
Investigators say just after 4:30 a.m. on Friday, a tractor-trailer was reversing the wrong way on Lexington Avenue against traffic
At East 61st Street, police say it struck and killed 44-year-old Terrill Jenkins, who was crossing in a marked crosswalk
But instead of stopping, police allege the driver kept going, heading south on Lexington
Hours later, police say they identified the truck and its driver, 33-year-old Vincent Spano of Florida, and took him into custody within the 19th Precinct
Investigators say just after 4:30 a.m. on Friday, a tractor-trailer was reversing the wrong way on Lexington Avenue against traffic. At East 61st Street, police say it struck 44-year-old Terrill Jenkins, who was crossing in a marked crosswalk.
“I was just as shocked as everybody else hearing about this,” says Isabella, who works nearby.
But instead of stopping, police allege the driver kept going, heading south on Lexington.
Jenkins was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries, according to authorities.
“That’s just sad that it happened today. I walk these streets every day and I take them to school, so it’s a very, very, very busy street,” Gonzalez says.
Hours later, police say they identified the truck and its driver, 33-year-old Vincent Spano of Florida, and took him into custody within the 19th Precinct.
He’s now charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and failing to use due care.
“I’m surprised to hear of somebody getting hit that early in the morning because traffic is usually not that bad,” Upper East Side resident Marie Libison says.
Police say the investigation is ongoing as one family mourns, and a neighborhood is left asking how this could happen at all.