MINEOLA, NY — A Babylon man faces prison after prosecutors say he struck a 66-year-old pedestrian in a Freeport crosswalk and fled the scene, with new evidence detailed in an indictment announced Thursday.
Michael Bonner, 40, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on charges including leaving the scene of a fatal crash and tampering with evidence, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said.
Victim died days after being hit in crosswalk
Prosecutors say the crash happened around 8:00 p.m. on March 25 along East Merrick Road near South Main Street.
According to the indictment, Bonner was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban when he hit Narcizo de Jesus Guerra Lopez, who was crossing the street in a crosswalk.
Authorities allege Bonner continued driving eastbound without stopping.
The victim was rushed to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery before dying from his injuries on April 3.
Surveillance and phone data tied suspect to scene
Investigators used surveillance footage and cell phone data to identify Bonner and track his movements before and after the crash.
Video captured him minutes earlier at a 7-Eleven on Sunrise Highway, roughly half a mile from the scene, and in Oceanside shortly before that.
Prosecutors said the vehicle seen in the footage had “a distinctive large, red sticker on the rear windshield and white foam above the rear passenger side tire,” matching the SUV involved in the crash.
Cell phone records also allegedly placed Bonner at the scene at the time of the collision.
Key Points
• 66-year-old man died after Freeport hit-and-run in March
• Prosecutors say suspect fled state before arrest weeks later
• Surveillance video and cell data linked defendant to crash
Alleged efforts to avoid detection
After the crash, Bonner allegedly removed the red sticker from the SUV’s rear windshield, according to prosecutors.
Authorities say he then fled New York, traveling to the Carolinas, where he was detected on March 28 before eventually returning to the state in early April.
He was located on April 4 in Nassau County and pulled over by Hempstead Police, then arrested by Nassau County Police detectives.
Charges, bail, and court timeline
Bonner was indicted on charges including leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death, a felony, and tampering with physical evidence.
He remains held on bail set at $500,000 cash, $1 million bond, or $1 million partially secured bond.
If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of 3 2/3 to 11 years in prison.
In a statement, Donnelly said, “The defendant allegedly struck an innocent man crossing the street and callously kept driving,” adding that “he could not outrun the relentless detective work that tracked him down.”
What happens next
Bonner is scheduled to return to court on May 20, 2026, as the case proceeds through Nassau County court.
Prosecutors say they will continue pursuing the case, emphasizing accountability in fatal hit-and-run crashes.
The case remains active as it moves toward trial.
