Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Nassau County police have identified the cyclist who died in a hit-and-run crash in Atlantic Beach Tuesday morning as 59-year-old Tony Thomas of Far Rockaway, according to authorities who announced the identification Thursday morning.
Thomas was struck by an eastbound Honda HRV at 7:46 a.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Beech Street and Scott Drive in Atlantic Beach, Nassau County police said. The collision occurred during the morning commute hours in the residential area of the barrier island community.
Following the impact, the driver of the Honda HRV fled the scene, leaving Thomas at the crash site, police said. Long Beach Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and pronounced Thomas dead, according to authorities.
Police said they later identified and arrested the driver of the HRV as 67-year-old Erin Henry. Henry was charged with leaving the scene of an accident that caused a death, according to Nassau County police.
The fatal crash initially prompted police to close the street while investigators processed the scene and gathered evidence. The intersection of Beech Street and Scott Drive remained under investigation as authorities worked to piece together the circumstances that led to Thomas’s death.
The identification of Thomas came two days after the initial crash, as police worked to notify family members and complete their preliminary investigation into the hit-and-run incident that shook the small barrier island community.
Location & Road Context
The fatal collision occurred near the intersection of Beech Street and Scott Drive in Atlantic Beach, a small incorporated village on the South Shore of Nassau County. Atlantic Beach is located on a barrier island accessible via bridges from Lawrence and Long Beach, making it a relatively contained residential community with limited through-traffic.
Beech Street runs north-south through the village, connecting residential neighborhoods to the main thoroughfares that provide access on and off the barrier island. The intersection with Scott Drive sits in a predominantly residential area where local traffic typically moves at lower speeds through the neighborhood streets.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Nassau County police arrested 67-year-old Erin Henry in connection with the fatal hit-and-run, charging her with leaving the scene of an accident that caused a death. This charge is a felony under New York State law when the accident results in serious physical injury or death.
The investigation began immediately after the 7:46 a.m. crash Tuesday, with police working to identify the vehicle and driver who fled the scene. The arrest came after police were able to track down the Honda HRV and its driver, though authorities have not released details about how they located Henry or what evidence led to her identification as the driver.
Broader Impact
The fatal hit-and-run represents a serious escalation in charges for Henry, as leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death carries significantly harsher penalties than standard hit-and-run incidents. Under New York law, this felony charge can result in up to seven years in prison, reflecting the legislature’s intent to deter drivers from fleeing fatal crash scenes where immediate medical attention might save lives.