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Bellport Man Charged With Fatal Hit-and-run

A Bellport man was arrested for allegedly killing a 64-year-old man with his SUV in a hit-and-run crash in the victim’s hometown of East Patchogue this week, Suffolk County police said.

Ruddy Velasquez Morales, 27, was charged Thursday with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

Major Case Unit detectives said the suspect was driving a Ford Explorer eastbound on Main Street when he struck and killed Warren Karstendick, who was walking on the shoulder just west of Phyllis Drive at 6:55 a.m. Sunday.

Morales allegedly fled the scene. The victim was taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue, where he was pronounced dead.

Morales will be arraigned Thursday at First District Court in Central Islip.