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Hit and run kills Lynbrook man

Baldwin driver arrested by NYPD

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A Lynbrook man was killed by an alleged drunk driver in a hit and run accident on Main Street in Port Washington just before midnight on Friday, Aug. 15, according to police.

The victim, Donald Mooney, 49, was taken to North Shore University Hospital for treatment of severe head and body trauma. He was pronounced dead there at 4:23 a.m. on Saturday morning.

According to police, Mooney had been walking across Main Street from north to the south sound. As he was crossing, he was struck by a black 2010 Ford Fusion whose driver, police say, then fled the scene.

Officers from the New York City Police Department saw a car fitting that description at 12:45 a.m. at Braddock Avenue and Winchester Boulevard in Queens. Their investigation of the vehicle, which had sustained visible windshield and front end damage, led to the arrest of Cosmin V. Florea, 34, of Baldwin. His car was impounded for testing.

Florea was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Leaving the Scene of a Fatality, and 2nd Degree Vehicular Manslaughter. He was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on August 17.

It was reported that Nassau District Court Judge Martin Massell reduced Florea's bail from $500,000 to $100,000 after an appeal by defense attorney Michael DerGarabedian.