D.A.'s office announces indictment in fatal hit-and-run last month on Clinton and Stanton

Photo from last month by Stacie Joy 

Yesterday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., announced the indictment of the driver involved in a hit-and-run that killed a woman in the Lower East Side last month. 

As previously reported, the incident occurred on Dec. 18 around 7 p.m. at Clinton and Stanton streets. According to the NYPD, a woman was crossing Stanton Street in the crosswalk when she was struck by an SUV making a right turn from Clinton Street. The vehicle fled the scene. The victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She was later identified as 76-year-old Yong Li. 

Per court documents, Julio Cachago, 53, of Queens, was driving a 2020 Ford Edge with a passenger. Prosecutors say he allowed one pedestrian to cross at the intersection, then struck Li as she entered the crosswalk with the walk signal — allegedly driving over her before briefly stopping and then continuing on. 

Charges include one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide. 

Authorities say Cachago later stopped to inspect his vehicle for damage before driving to the Bronx. The NYPD located and towed the SUV that evening. The following day, prosecutors say Cachago contacted 311 and 911 to report his vehicle missing and was directed to the 7th Precinct, where he was arrested on Dec. 22. 

"Julio Cachago allegedly left an elderly New Yorker to die in the street after he hit her with his car and drove off without even checking on her condition," Bragg said in a statement. "Instead of notifying emergency services immediately, he allegedly only called the police the next day when he discovered his vehicle had been towed." 

Charges, per the D.A.'s office: 

• Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, Death, a class D felony, one count 
• Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class E felony, one count 
• The right of Way to Pedestrians and Bicyclists, Physical Injury, one count 
• License Restriction Violation, one count 
• Failure of a Driver to Exercise Due Care, Serious Physical Injury, one count 
• Unlicensed Driving, one count

[Updated] NYPD searching for the hit-and-run driver who killed pedestrian on Clinton and Stanton

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Updated: Police have arrested a 54-year-old suspect who is accused of striking the woman in the crosswalk, PIX 11 reported this morning. Streetsblog has a detailed piece here on how the NYPD made the case and the arrest.

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Police continue to look for the driver of an SUV who fatally struck a woman Thursday evening on the Lower East Side and then left the scene. 

According to the NYPD, the collision occurred around 7 p.m. as the driver was making a right turn from Clinton Street onto Stanton Street. The woman was reportedly crossing Stanton Street from south to north in the crosswalk when she was hit. 

Witnesses told police that a black SUV fled the scene immediately after the collision. 

The woman was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The investigation is ongoing. Authorities have not released the name of the victim, who was believed to be in her 60s.

The NYPD has been canvassing the area in search of leads. Yesterday, officers were seen stopping drivers nearby.

Streetsblog cited city stats showing that in the 30-square-block Lower East Side this year, there have been 478 reported crashes, injuring 235 people, including 60 cyclists and 46 pedestrians. 

Someone has left a handwritten message on the scene: 

We are so sorry about the tragic loss of our neighbor during the holiday season. Our condolences to her family and friends.

Looking for information on a hit-and-run from Saturday night

The following information comes via the EVG inbox.

A reader is seeking information about the driver-vehicle who struck his friend on Third Street at First Avenue this past Saturday night and kept going.

The hit-and-run victim, who lives on the Lower East Side, was skateboarding on Third Street around 9:30 p.m. She was crossing the intersection at First Avenue just as the light started to change. She had time to get though the intersection.

Meanwhile, according to the reader, a slate blue Hummer H2 with New York plates heading north on First Avenue — going at what seemed like a high rate of speed — "blindsided" the skateboarder and kept going.

"It is possible the Hummer technically had the light but basically was blowing through the intersection timing the light. The driver did not even stop after they hit her. Not sure if any witnesses might have gotten a license plate or, since it is a unique car/unique color, if someone knows the owner of the car."

And his friend?

"She is home now and honestly it's a miracle she is alive. She suffered a very serious leg injury that required a bunch of stuff that night and the next day and will again require surgery down the road."

He filed a police report at the scene, but is not hopeful after reading articles like this one about hit-and-run drivers getting off scot-free.

Info? Use this email.

The photo on this post is an example of the make and color of the Hummer.

[Updated] NYPD searching for driver involved in deadly Union Square hit and run

Police are looking for the driver of a Jeep Renegade who critically injured a pedestrian early this morning while making an illegal turn on 14th Street and Fourth Avenue.

Surveillance video shows the SUV heading east on 14th Street "before swinging an illegal left turn onto Union Square East" around 1 a.m., the Post reports. The video shows the vehicle continuing on after momentarily slowing down.

The 34-year-old victim suffered trauma to his body, and is in critical condition at Bellevue, according to NY1.

Here's the video via Town & Village...



Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online.

Updated 5:30 p.m.

The pedestrian, Brooklyn resident Adrian Blanc, died from his injuries. He was walking within the crosswalk, police said.

Updated 11/16

Blanc was the executive chef at Hill & Bay, the restaurant on Second Avenue across from the Kips Bay theater.

Eater has statement from Hill & Bay's parent company: "Adrian was immensely talented. He was a dedicated worker and devoted family member. He was incredibly kind and loving. He had a heart of gold and he genuinely cared about all of his co-workers."

Blanc was set to be married in December.

Police found the Jeep Renegade — which was a Zipcar rental — but the driver is still at large.