A Long Beach woman was indicted for a March hit-and-run on Beech Street in Atlantic Beach that killed a 59-year-old man.
On March 24 at approximately 7:45 a.m., Erin Henry, who is a school nurse, was driving to her home to pick up some things for her job that she forgot in her 2019 Honda HRV eastbound on Beech Street when she allegedly struck 59-year-old Tony Thomas, who was riding his bicycle. Henry allegedly continued driving after striking Thomas and fled the scene. Witnesses who observed the collision called 911.
Thomas was declared dead at the scene by emergency services.
Long Beach Police Department officers identified the defendant’s vehicle from witness descriptions of her license plate and conducted a traffic stop.
Henry, 67, was arrested shortly after at the intersection of West Park Avenue and Vermont Street in Long Beach.
On July 1, she was arraigned before Judge Robert Bogle on one count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting Resulting in Death (a Class D felony). She pleaded not guilty and bail was continued at $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond or $125,000 partially secured bond.
“This defendant allegedly struck an innocent man riding his bike, continued driving, and left him to die. Bystanders called emergency services, but tragically, it was too late for the victim, who suffered serious injuries and died at the scene,” Nassau County Anne Donnelly said. “Quick thinking witnesses recorded Henry’s license plate, and she was located by police driving to work as if nothing had happened, callously blaming a fictitious boulder for the beloved grandfather’s death when she was pulled over and questioned. My office will fully prosecute this case to ensure justice for Tony and his loved ones.”
Henry is due back in court on August 11. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 2-1/3 to seven years in prison.