Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Erin Henry, a 67-year-old Long Beach woman, was arrested for fatally striking a bicyclist in Atlantic Beach on Tuesday morning and fleeing the scene, Nassau police say. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. on Beech Street near the intersection of Scott Drive, according to News 12 reports.
Henry was driving a 2019 Honda HRV when she struck the male victim, whose identity has not yet been released by authorities. After the collision, Henry drove away from the scene without stopping to render aid or report the incident, police say. The bicyclist died at the scene of the crash.
Following the fatal hit-and-run, both Nassau County Police and Long Beach Police launched a joint investigation to locate the suspect vehicle and driver. Through their investigative efforts, authorities were able to track down Henry’s 2019 Honda HRV and subsequently placed her into custody.
The investigation that led to Henry’s arrest involved coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies. Nassau police worked alongside Long Beach police to process the scene, gather evidence, and identify the vehicle involved in the fatal collision. The collaborative effort between the two departments ultimately resulted in locating Henry’s Honda HRV and her subsequent arrest.
Henry was charged in connection with the fatal hit-and-run incident and was brought before a judge for arraignment. During her court appearance, Henry pleaded not guilty to the charges against her, according to News 12. Her defense attorney spoke to the news outlet, characterizing the incident as “a terrible accident with no criminality.”
The judge presiding over Henry’s arraignment set bail at $25,000 cash, indicating the serious nature of the charges she faces. The bail amount reflects the severity of the allegations, which involve both the fatal striking of a cyclist and the subsequent decision to flee the scene rather than remain to provide assistance or contact emergency services.
Location & Road Context
The fatal collision occurred on Beech Street near its intersection with Scott Drive in Atlantic Beach, a Nassau County community on Long Island’s South Shore. Beech Street runs through a residential area of Atlantic Beach, connecting various neighborhoods within this barrier island community. The intersection with Scott Drive sits in a primarily residential zone where local traffic and recreational cyclists frequently travel.
Atlantic Beach is part of the Five Towns area and serves as both a residential community and a route for cyclists traveling between Long Island’s various beach communities. The morning hours when this incident occurred typically see a mix of commuter traffic and recreational cyclists, particularly during favorable weather conditions when cycling activity increases throughout the barrier island communities.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Following her arrest, Henry faced arraignment where she entered a plea of not guilty to the charges stemming from the fatal hit-and-run incident. The court proceedings revealed the serious nature of the allegations, with the judge setting bail at $25,000 cash, which Henry would need to post to secure her release pending further legal proceedings.
Henry’s defense attorney addressed the media following the arraignment, telling News 12 that the incident was “a terrible accident with no criminality.” This defense strategy suggests the legal team will argue that while a tragic collision occurred, it was accidental in nature rather than the result of criminal behavior. The investigation involved both Nassau County Police, who have jurisdiction over Atlantic Beach, and Long Beach Police, likely due to Henry’s residence in Long Beach and the collaborative nature of the search for the suspect vehicle.
Broader Impact
This fatal hit-and-run incident highlights the vulnerability of cyclists on Long Island’s roadways, particularly in residential areas where drivers may not expect to encounter bicycle traffic during morning hours. The case also underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation between Nassau County and municipal police departments in investigating serious traffic incidents, as demonstrated by the successful collaboration between Nassau County Police and Long Beach Police that led to Henry’s identification and arrest. The $25,000 cash bail amount reflects the serious legal consequences facing drivers who leave the scene of fatal accidents in New York, where hit-and-run incidents involving fatalities carry significant penalties including potential felony charges.