A 51-year-old Rocky Point man has been indicted for allegedly fleeing the scene of a crash on William Floyd Parkway that killed one man and left another critically injured.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Jonathan Shaver was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting in connection with the January 29 crash in Shirley.
According to prosecutors, at approximately 6:44 p.m., Shaver was driving a 2012 Honda Accord northbound on William Floyd Parkway when he allegedly struck two brothers who were changing a flat tire on the shoulder of the road just north of 1180 William Floyd Parkway.
One of the men, Edgar Mejia, 31, of Mastic Beach, was pronounced dead at the scene. His brother, Omar Mejia, 29, also of Mastic Beach, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he remains in critical condition with serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury.
Prosecutors allege Shaver fled the scene without stopping to render aid or contacting police.
“The defendant allegedly struck two men who were simply trying to fix a tire on the shoulder of the parkway and fled the scene without stopping to render aid. One victim has died and the other is fighting for his life,” Tierney said in a statement.
Investigators recovered surveillance video from the Shirley area that allegedly showed Shaver visiting establishments prior to the crash. Additional video reportedly captured a vehicle matching his Honda traveling northbound after the collision without a passenger-side headlight.
On January 30, Suffolk County Police Major Case Unit detectives located Shaver’s 2012 Honda Accord parked outside his Rocky Point home with front-end damage. He was arrested and the vehicle was impounded as evidence.
Shaver was arraigned February 13 before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft Jr. on charges including a Class D felony and a Class E felony for leaving the scene without reporting. He was ordered held on $100,000 cash bail, $200,000 bond, or a $1 million partially secured bond. He is due back in court March 10 and faces 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Community Fundraiser Launched for Mejia Family
In the wake of the crash, a fundraiser has been launched to support the Mejia family as they cope with the loss of Edgar Mejia and Omar Mejia’s ongoing medical crisis. Edgar had worked since 2017 as a Senior Plant Health Care Technician and New York State DEC Certified Applicator at Jackson Dodds & Co., where his father, Salvador Mejia, has also been employed since 2015 and now serves as a Senior Property Maintenance Crew Foreman.
According to organizers, funds raised will help cover hospital expenses related to Omar’s treatment, as well as funeral and legal costs. Edgar was described by colleagues as a dedicated professional and respected leader whose work and presence had a lasting impact on the company. Click here for the fundraiser.
