'1 Last Time': Help Needed To Send Man's Body To Mother After LI Crash

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Westhampton Beach woman is raising funds to help send her uncle home to Mexico after he died in a hit-and-run crash in Medford early Saturday.

A GoFundMe, "Tragic Hit-And-Run: Please Help Bring My Uncle Home," was created by Denia Nava.

"I’m raising funds for my Uncle, Hedilberto Nava Pérez, who recently lost his life in a hit-and-run crash on route 112 in Medford," Nava wrote. "The impact was fatal for my uncle, and my cousin who was also in the car, is seriously injured and currently hospitalized."

She added: "My family and I are trying to bring some peace to my grandma, my uncle’s mother, who is in Mexico and wishes to have my uncle’s body returned home."

The family is seeking help to raise the funds needed to send her uncle's body back to Mexico, Nava said, "So my grandmother can say her final goodbye to her son. With your support, we will be able to fulfill my grandma’s wish to see her son one last time after 23 years."

And, Nava said, "Thank very much for your help in this incredibly difficult time."

According to Suffolk County police, the crash took place at 1:52 a.m. on Horseblock Road at Express Drive North. The driver of a tractor-trailer was traveling northwest on Horseblock Road and attempting to make a left turn onto Express Drive North when the tractor-trailer was struck by a 2008 BMW, police said.

The driver of the BMW fled on foot, police said.

Nava Perez, in the BMW, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner; the other passenger was airlifted via Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries, police said.

The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured, police said.

The driver of the BMW is described as a Hispanic male who was wearing a dark-colored shirt and tan shorts, police said.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to call the major case unit at 631-852-6553 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.