Franklin Square man killed in hit-and-run

Anthony, right, with his mother in 2010.

Anthony and Kristin Fretto in 2009, at Anthony's surprise 40th birthday celebration.

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A Franklin Square man was killed in an accident on U.S. 1 in Florida on March 18, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Anthony Fretto, 42, who was riding a motorcycle, attempted to turn left onto Airport Road in Ormond Beach when he was struck by a 2009 Mitsubishi SUV driven by Charles Fuller, 78, of Ormond Beach, police said.

According to police, Fuller sped away from the scene, and was arrested at his home and charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury and failing to yield the right of way.

Fretto was hospitalized at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, but died from his injuries, according to detectives.

Fuller was booked into the Volusia County Jail.

Born on July 30, 1969, to Vivian and Anthony Fretto, Anthony grew up in Bohemia and attended Connetquot High School. A football player with what his family described as a magnetic personality, Fretto had a big circle of friends when he graduated from high school in 1987.

“People were drawn to him, and everyone wanted to be around him,” said his sister, Kristin Fretto, 36. "Anthony was always surrounded by dozens and dozens of friends for as long as I can remember. He made everyone happy. He just had that quick wit sense of humor — he always knew exactly what to say at exactly the right time to make you laugh, or comfort you."

Following high school, Fretto landed a job as supervisor of the meat, seafood and deli departments for Pathmark Stores on Long Island and Manhattan. Whenever he got the chance, he spent time outdoors, taking beach trips in the summer and ski trips in the winter, as well as boating, traveling and motorcycle riding — one of his favorite activities.

“His bike was his passion and his hobby,” Kristin said. “He was always working on it, customizing it. It was his pride and joy. He would take whatever chance he could to ride.”

When Anthony’s father, Anthony Fretto II, died in June 2008 from a heart condition, he was devastated, Kristin said. His tight-knit Italian family meant the world to him. “Family was everything to him,” Kristin said. “He never missed a family event and loved spending time with his mother, sister, aunts, uncles and cousins.”