Brentwood Man Charged After Fleeing Motorcycle Crash That Killed 1: DA

BRENTWOOD, NY — A Brentwood man was indicted Tuesday in connection with fleeing the scene of an accident that left a motorcyclist dead, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced.

Manuel Gomez, 46, of Brentwood, was indicted for leaving the scene of an incident without reporting and other related charges for leaving the scene of a crash that killed Andres Eloy Khammach La Cruz, 31, of Brentwood in August, the DA said.

At the time of the crash, Gomez was allegedly operating the vehicle with a suspended driver's license, the DA said.

According to the investigation, on July 29 around 7:20 p.m., Gomez was allegedly driving a 2008 Ford Explorer southbound on Wicks Road in Brentwood with two passengers when he tried to make a left-hand turn from Wicks Road onto Bradley Street and a motorcycle driven by La Cruz going northbound hit the rear of the Explorer, the DA said.

Gomez then pulled the Explorer over and along with his two passengers, fled the scene of the crash on foot before police arrival and without checking on La Cruz, the DA said.

La Cruz was pronounced dead at South Shore University Hospital, the DA said.

“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 Tierney. “As this is an ongoing investigation, we are limited in the details we can provide at this time.”

On Tuesday, Gomez was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins and charged with leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, a Class D felony and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, an unclassified misdemeanor, the DA said.

Justice Collins ordered Gomez held on $80,000 cash, $160,000 bond or $800,000 partially secured
bond, the DA said.

He is expected back in court on September 20.

Gomez is being represented by Stephen LaMagna, who was not immediately available for comment.