Man killed in Amityville hit-and-run crash; Other driver flees on foot

NORTH AMITYVILLE, Long island (WABC) -- Police are looking for a man who fled on foot following a deadly hit-and-run crash in North Amityville Tuesday night.

Authorities say 32-year-old Reginald Celifie was driving a 1995 Honda Civic east on Brefni Street around 6:20 p.m. when he was struck by a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer traveling south on Geraldine Avenue. The driver of the Trailblazer apparently ran from the scene on foot.

Police say the Trailblazer had been reported stolen on December 8.

The suspect is described as a black man in his early 20s who is about 5-foot-7 and clean-shaven with a slim build. He was wearing blue jeans, a black hooded sweatshirt and a black wool hat.

Celifie, of Lindenhurst, was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, where he was pronounced dead.

His family made an emotional plea Wednesday.

"I hope you're out there, and if you're watching this or anyone who knows, just contact them," sister-in-law Dominique Bonaparte said. "And just help us find who did this."

Relatives say Celifie was on his way to bring his mother out to dinner at the time of the crash.

"I hope he understands what he did was wrong," brother Philippe Celifie said. "It was a messed up thing he did, and he really hurt someone's family today."

What hurts his family so much is that they know Celifie would never have done this to someone else.

"We're taking it very hard, because he was so kind," Bonaparte said. "He would give his last dollar. He would help anyone."

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call (631) 852-6555.