Melville Man Fatally Strikes Girlfriend With Car During Argument: Police

UPDATED at 6:50 p.m. with identity of woman killed:

A Melville man is accused of fatally striking his girlfriend with his car during an argument and fleeing the scene while he was intoxicated on Tuesday night in Seaford.

According to authorities, Robert Savinetti, 57, was in a verbal dispute with his girlfriend, 44-year-old Melville resident Lisa Micelli, outside Cardoon Restaurant, located at 2479 Adler Court, at 10:50 p.m. The dispute escalated, causing Savinetti to strike the woman as he drove away in his 2010 Toyota, police say.

Homicide Squad commanding officer Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said Savinetti was trying to leave his girlfriend behind, Newsday reports. As she was attempting to get into the car, he ran her over, Fitzpatrick told the publication.

Micelli suffered severe trauma to her body and was treated at a local hospital. She was pronounced dead at 11:34 p.m.

Police say Savinetti eventually returned after leaving the scene of the accident. It was then determined he was intoxicated and was placed into police custody.

Savinetti is being charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatal collision and two counts of DWI. He will be arraigned on Wednesday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Image via NCPD