Seaford man arrested in fatal accident

Nassau County Police have arrested a Seaford man who was driving with a suspended license when he struck and killed a student walking to school in Valley Stream early Thursday morning.

The accident occurred at the intersection of West Merrick Road and North Franklin Avenue at about 7:15 a.m. on Dec. 11. The 12-year-old, who was only identified as a seventh-grader at Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School, was pronounced dead less than an hour later at Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

The driver of the vehicle, 29-year-old Austin Soldano, of Ralph Street in Seaford, was not driving recklessly, according to police, but did not have a valid license. He was charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and was arraigned later in the day in First District Court.

"The Valley Stream Central High School District is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of one of its seventh-grade students from Memorial Junior High School," Superintendent Dr. Bill Heidenreich said in a statement. "The school has enacted its crisis plan and grief counselors will be made available to students and staff as long as needed. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the student."