by Jerry Burke
According to police, 57-year-old Jose Hidalgo, a food vendor at Belmont Racetrack, was pronounced dead at Franklin Medical Center less than an hour after being struck by an SUV on Nov. 24 at 8:30 p.m.
The driver, 17-year-old John Boyd of Hempstead, immediately stopped his 2003 Ford Expedition and stayed with Hidalgo until an ambulance arrived.
Police say Hidalgo was crossing the turnpike from the north side to the south about a block west of Elmont Road when Boyd, driving eastbound, saw Hidalgo too late to avoid hitting him. Boyd tried to swerve, according to police, but Hidalgo jumped in the same direction.
Hidalgo was pronounced dead at 9:18 p.m.
Police issued Boyd, who had only a junior driver's license, a summons for operating a motor vehicle with a proper license. While the investigation is still ongoing, homicide detectives do not believe Boyd, who police say was collecting donated food for his church's Thanksgiving celebration, will be further charged, pointing out his immediate response to the victim. The vehicle was impounded for a series of safety tests.
Hidalgo's death is the second pedestrian fatality since September. In almost the same location, Adona Hazelwood-Carr, 36, a mother of three, was struck and killed in the early morning of Sept. 11 as she ran to catch her bus to work. The driver of the car was not charged in that accident.
A few nights before Carr's death, another employee of Belmont Park was severely injured as he crossed the Turnpike near Belmont Park. Twenty-four-year-old Juan Moreira suffered a broken pelvis and head injuries when he was hit by a van on Sept. 6.
Along Hempstead Turnpike last Saturday night, residents and shoppers expressed concern over the latest death. "Everybody jaywalks around here," said a young man who had only moments before almost been struck by a speeding SUV as he crossed the Turnpike near Elmont Road. "It's stupid, but if you watch yourself, you'll be fine."
"If you want to know the problem, just look up," said Ray Stevens, who was visiting relatives in the area, pointing to a broken street light. "You can't see s--- around here."
Between the Cross Island Parkway and Elmont Road, at least 25 street lights, already liberally spaced, were out. Another 10 appeared dim.
Hidalgo, a native of Peru, leaves behind two children.
