Charles Polevich allegedly exited his vehicle, saw victim injured on the ground, re-entered his car and drove off
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting Nassau County District Attorney Joyce A. Smith announced the indictment of a Mineola man charged with striking a man walking along Roslyn Road and leaving the scene. The victim later died of his injuries.
Charles Polevich, 71, of Mineola, was indicted by a grand jury on November 16, 2021 and arraigned today before Judge Howard Sturim on charges including leaving the scene of an incident without reporting (as a felony) (a D felony), and tampering with physical evidence (an E felony). If convicted on the top charge, the defendant faces up to 2-1/3 to 7 years in prison. The defendant is scheduled to return to court on January 21, 2022.
“After seeing Robert Maraj severely injured on the ground, this defendant allegedly committed a most heinous act – he simply walked away,” said Acting DA Smith. “Rather than aid the man he struck, the defendant allegedly drove home and hid his vehicle, while Maraj died from his injuries. NCDA will continue to hold drivers accountable when they strike innocent pedestrians and flee the scene, preventing the investigation into the condition of the driver at the time of the crash.”
According to the indictment, on February 12, 2021, Polevich allegedly struck 64-year-old Robert Maraj at the intersection of Roslyn Road and Raff Avenue in Mineola as Maraj walked along Roslyn Road. After striking Maraj, Polevich allegedly exited his 1992 White Volvo, looked at the victim on the ground, got back into his vehicle and left the scene. Polevich allegedly drove home and hid the car in his garage under a tarp.
Maraj was pronounced deceased at the hospital on February 13, 2021 after emergency surgery was attempted to save his life.
Polevich surrendered to members of the NCPD Homicide Squad on February 17, 2021.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Tara DePalo and Assistant District Attorney David Santana of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau. The defendant is represented by Marc Gann, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
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