Dix Hills Woman Killed By Hit-and-Run Driver

Irene Calderaro

On Sunday, February 7, 2015, Jalpa Patel, 48 of Stratford Avenue, Dix Hills was crossing Deer Park Avenue at approximately 8:30 p.m. when she was struck by a blue Jeep Liberty that was traveling northbound on Deer Park Avenue. The driver of the Jeep initially stopped but fled the scene prior to the arrival of the police. Witnesses provided the responding officers with a description of the vehicle.

Police Officer Kenneth Michaels of the Suffolk County Police Canine Section was on Deer Park Avenue south of the Long Island Expressway when he observed a vehicle that fit the description traveling northbound on Deer Park Avenue. The operator of the 2004 Jeep Liberty, Irene Calderaro, 57, of Lindquist Lane, Deer Park, was arrested and charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death.

The Jeep was impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash or who can assist in identifying the female victim to call the Vehicular Crime Unit at 631-852-6555 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.