Southold Police Seek Driver in Fatal Hit-and-Run
Based on paint particles, Southold police believe a third vehicle was involved in a car accident in Laurel in January that left a pedestrian dead, and now police and Suffolk County Crime Stoppers are asking for the public’s help to locate the driver.
According to authorities, James Callaghan, 45, of Jamesport, was killed on January 16 during the predawn hours while jogging in dense fog along Route 25. Police said it appears that Callaghan was struck by two westbound vehicles and that he may have been lying in the roadway when struck. Now, investigation has revealed that a third vehicle, blue and metallic in color with a clear coat finish, could have struck Callaghan before the others did and left the scene. Investigators said it is also possible that a medical condition could have caused Callaghan to be in the roadway when he was struck.
The blue paint particles recovered at the scene do not match the two previously identified vehicles, authorities said.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS or call Southold Town Police Department detectives at 631-765-2600.