By: Nicole Falco
Paulino Perez Flores, 48, was crossing to the north side of Sunrise, just east of Satterie Avenue, at about 7 p.m. when he was struck by the van, which was traveling westbound, police said. Moments later, Flores was struck again, this time by a 1992 Saturn driven by an unidentified 56-year-old woman, who did not see Flores lying in the intersection, police said.
A witness told police that he saw the van turn right onto Satterie Avenue and stop briefly before leaving the scene. The witness was able to determine that the van, possibly a Ford or Chevrolet, had light-colored lettering on the side that partially read, "SHAL." The driver of the Saturn remained at the scene to.
Flores was transported to Franklin Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
A native of Honduras, Flores immigrated to the U.S. about seven months ago, according to Rudy Mora, a manager at La Pergola di Taormina, the Valley Stream restaurant where Flores worked as a dishwasher. Flores's two sons, Jaime, 21, and Fausto, 20, also wash dishes at the restaurant.
According to Mora, Flores had stopped in the restaurant to talk to his sons before he was killed. La Pergola is on Sunrise, across the street from the scene of the accident.
Mora said Flores was a "good worker" and "a very happy guy" who was always "hugging everybody and always smiling." Mora added that Flores always had a bounce in his step.
Flores was waked last Sunday at Hempstead Funeral Home. His body was flown to Honduras on Wednesday for burial, Mora said. Flores's co-workers donated approximately $2,000 to help the family with funeral costs. His sons could not be reached for comment.
Police ask anyone with information about the accident to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.
Comments about this story? NFalco@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
