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Donnell Hicks, 26, of Queens, was behind the wheel of a 2017 Dodge Ram work van when he struck his victims, Ann Marie Christina, 38, of East Quogue and Eric Krems, 40, in front of AutoZone on Deer Park Avenue in Babylon on Monday, July 29, police said.
Hicks failed to stop and dragged Christina, who was caught under the van, to her death, according to police. He was initially charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
After pleading not guilty to that charge in Central Islip court, Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini said that the investigation into the fatal incident is ongoing, and prosecutors have the option to return to a grand jury if more charges are required.
Police said that Hicks made a right hand turn from Deer Park Avenue onto Shade Street while he was still dragging Christina, who was reportedly screaming, at which point she became dislodged. Christina’s body came to a rest on the roadway, and Hicks continued on his route.
Christina was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in West Slip, where she was pronounced dead. Krems suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was released shortly.
The investigation into the incident led police to Hicks, who was taken into custody at AutoZone on Portion Road in Ronkonkoma approximately an hour after striking his victims.
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