BRENTWOOD, NY — Manuel Gomez, 46, of Brentwood, has been indicted on charges related to fleeing the scene of a motor vehicle crash that resulted in the death of a motorcyclist. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the indictment, which includes charges of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle.
The charges stem from a crash on July 29 at approximately 7:22 p.m., when Gomez was allegedly driving a 2008 Ford Explorer southbound on Wicks Road in Brentwood. According to investigators, Gomez attempted to make a left turn onto Bradley Street when a northbound motorcycle, operated by 31-year-old Andres Eloy Khammach La Cruz, collided with the rear of the Explorer. Gomez and his two passengers reportedly exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot without checking on the victim or notifying authorities.
La Cruz was later pronounced dead at South Shore University Hospital. At the time of the incident, Gomez’s privilege to drive in New York State had been suspended.
District Attorney Tierney emphasized the gravity of the charges, stating, “A 31-year-old motorcyclist lost his life in this tragic event, and we intend to seek justice for him and his loved ones.”
On September 3, Gomez was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins. He faces charges of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a Class D felony, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, an unclassified misdemeanor. Justice Collins ordered Gomez held on $80,000 cash, $160,000 bond, or $800,000 partially secured bond. Gomez’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 20.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Rosenheck of the Vehicular Crime Bureau, with investigative support from Detective Valentin Rosado of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Major Case Unit.
