Pedestrian struck and killed on treacherous road

Another pedestrian has been fatally struck by a vehicle on Woodfield Road, the second pedestrian fatality in three months on the West Hempstead road, which residents say has been dangerous for decades.

Nassau County police said that 52-year-old Michael Tompos, of West Hempstead, was found lying in the west lane of Woodfield Road at its intersection with Sycamore Street at 3:40 a.m. last Friday. As a good Samaritan tried to help, Tompos was struck and killed by a four-door sedan heading west on Woodfield, according to police.

Tompos was pronounced dead at the scene by a police medic. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene, police said. They provided no further information about why Tompos was lying in the road.

In October, 12-year-old Tomas Molina was struck and killed by a car near the Woodfield Road-Lindberg Street intersection as he crossed the road, planning to do homework at a friend’s house.

The Nassau County Police Department’s Public Information Office provided accident statistics for areas of Woodfield Road after a request by the Herald. There have been 10 accidents near Woodfield Road and Hempstead Avenue this year, and five accidents near Woodfield Road and Chestnut Street. In 2021 there were a total of 10 accidents at the same locations.

The West Hempstead Community Support and Civic Association hosted a community meeting in October, after Tomas Molina’s death, to address safety on Woodfield Road. Many elected officials and police representatives attended, as well as dozens of residents.

Maureen Greenberg, president of the association, said the group is planning another meeting in January. The details of that meeting will be announced once they are finalized.

“Our hearts go out to the deceased and his family,” Greenberg said of Tompos. “We have no further comment, because we have no further details.”

After Tomas Molina’s death, County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s communications director, Chris Boyle, said in a statement that “a road study will be conducted immediately, at the direction of the County Executive.”

Boyle did not respond to email and phone requests for an update on the road study.

The civic association created a petition requesting a county survey of Woodfield Road that garnered over 1,000 signatures. It has long been a dangerous thoroughfare, several residents noted at the October meeting, which was held at American Legion Cathedral Post 1087. Two people were killed in an accident on the road in October 2021.

Over the decades, residents said, there have been calls for petitions, increased police patrols, new signs — even speed bumps and crosswalks. Any action taken ultimately fails to reduce the excessive speeding that plagues the road.

The Herald will publish information on the association’s meeting next month once it is available.