Elvin Majano Diaz Arrested in Farmingdale Hit-and-Run Acc...
The suspect faces charges after a mother and toddler were struck on Conklin Street
Elvin Majano Diaz, 27, was arrested after a hit-and-run crash that injured a 28-year-old woman and her 2-year-old son on Conklin Street in Farmingdale, New York, on Wednesday, according to police.
Diaz faces charges of leaving the scene of an incident with injury after continuing to drive the 1998 Peterbilt heavy-duty truck following the collision. He was issued an appearance ticket to return to Hempstead court on Aug. 21.
The toddler ran into the road near the 416 block around 3:51 p.m., and his mother attempted to grab him before both were struck. Paramedics took the pair to a local hospital for treatment. The boy suffered leg injuries, while the woman was hurt to her hip and legs.
Investigators impounded the truck to conduct a brake and safety check.
The crash remains under investigation.
While the criminal justice system addresses the charges against the driver, injured parties often must handle a separate legal path to secure their future.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Hit-and-run crashes scatter evidence across roadways in ways that complicate identification efforts involving fleeing motorists. Broken glass, paint transfer, debris fields, and tire marks create fragmented physical records requiring careful analysis."
"An attorney coordinates with accident reconstruction specialists to evaluate scattered remains and develop coherent understanding of collision dynamics," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
Why did the Peterbilt truck driver flee the Farmingdale scene?
Investigators are currently examining the impounded 1998 Peterbilt truck for mechanical failures, but commercial vehicle crashes also require a deep dive into driver logs and corporate safety records.
According to data from the NHTSA and research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, about 1 in 4 pedestrian fatalities (25%) involve a hit-and-run driver, highlighting a severe and growing risk to vulnerable road users
New York personal injury framework
New York follows a pure comparative fault system with no-fault auto insurance. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Under New York's no-fault system, PIP benefits cover medical expenses and lost wages up to $50,000 regardless of fault. To pursue a liability claim, injuries must meet the 'serious injury' threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d).
"Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras often captures vital visual evidence during major roadway incidents," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal counsel helps by quickly locating relevant video feeds and taking necessary legal steps to secure copies before automated recording systems erase the valuable footage."