Arrest made in fatal hit-and-run of Valley Stream man

A Linden, N.J. man was arrested and charged in connection with the fatal hit-and-run of an off-duty NYPD officer from Valley Stream that occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike early on Sunday.

William Espinal-Mejia, 35, turned himself in to police on Monday evening and was charged with second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident. He was held in Union County Jail on $100,000 bail.

Vincent Harrison, 25, was struck and killed by Espinal-Mejia's Infiniti EX35 when Harrison exited his car after being involved in a collision with an SUV shortly before 3 a.m. on Sunday.

The investigation, which police said is ongoing, revealed that Harrison was operating a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze when he changed lanes and collided with a 2003 Ford Escape. Harrison’s vehicle stopped in the right shoulder, while the Ford remained in the right lanes of the roadway.

Police said that Harrison exchanged words with the Ford's driver and had his weapon drawn just before he was struck by the Infinity. Espinal-Mejia reportedly stopped briefly before leaving the scene.

Harrison was a member of the 100th Precinct in Queens since 2014. The precinct’s Twitter account sent a tweet on Sunday morning: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of one of our own. May you rest in peace P.O. Vincent Harrison.”