Driver who allegedly ran over man after Long Island bar fight charged with murder
LINDENHURST, Suffolk County (WABC) -- A man who police say ran down and killed another man after a bar fight on Long Island was indicted on upgraded charges Thursday.
Prosecutors say Shatik Canady and Kawon Williams fought outside a bar on North Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst on March 23.
They say Canady then intentionally ran over Williams before driving away.
Williams, 28, of Wyandanch, was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, where he was pronounced dead.
Canady, 41, of West Babylon, is now charged with second-degree murder after previously being charged with first-degree manslaughter.
Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini said Williams was hanging out in the parking lot of the pub with some friends when Canady, for some undetermined reason, asserted himself in their conversation. Sini said Canady was across the street and came over to the group.
Sini said a verbal confrontation ensued between Williams and Canady, who then went to his car and grabbed an ice scraper and approached Williams.
"According to witnesses, the victim attempted to fight back, at which point the defendant got into his car and started to pursue the victim," Sini said. "The victim attempted to hide behind other cars and objects in the parking lot, but the defendant did not stop until he finally had a clear shot."
Sini said surveillance video shows Canady running over Williams, backing over him in reverse, and then fleeing the scene. Officers located him 16 hours later, driving the same car used during the incident, according to Sini.
"This is obviously a dangerous individual," he said. "He asserted himself into an argument with a complete stranger, escalated that fight to the point of physical violence, and then ended the altercation by murdering the victim."
Canady's attorney said he believes the entire incident was an accident.
"We have entered a plea of not-guilty," attorney Joseph Hanshe said. "We are going to vigorously defend him. We believe there's a defense to it. We also believe he's been overcharged."
Williams' family was in court Thursday in Riverhead but did not want to speak with the media.
If convicted of the second-degree murder charges, Canady -- who has a previous conviction for driving while ability impaired by drugs -- faces 25 years to life in prison.
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