Cops: Driver Who Hit Bicyclist, Fled Scene Charged With DWI

A Deer Park man was charged with driving while intoxicated after hitting a bicyclist near McDonald's on Route 58 in Riverhead and fleeing the scene on Monday evening, police said.

Riverhead Town police responded to the report of a motor vehicle accident on Monday at 6:49 p.m. and found the bicyclist in the roadway on Route 58, just west of McDonald's. Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance responded to the scene and transported Leslie Harrist, 40, of Ridge to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Police say the driver of the vehicle that struck the bicyclist fled the scene. Officers searched for the vehicle and gathered a description from witnesses; a description was sent to area police agencies.

Shortly after the accident, a New York State Police officer spotted a vehicle fitting the description heading westbound on the Long Island Expressway. After an investigation, it was determined that the vehicle was the same as the one involved in the accident.

Police arrested Robert Michael, 47, of Deer Park and charged him with driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident. He was held for morning arraignment.