Mineola, NY - August 1st, 2013 - Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that a Williston Park man has been convicted in the hit-and-run death of an Albertson man who was returning home from work in Garden City.
Raymond Kalenka, 46, was convicted of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death and Tampering With Physical Evidence by Judge Jerald Carter after a two-week bench trial. Kalenka faces up to seven years in prison and will be sentenced October 1.
Rice said that at approximately 3:45 a.m. on August 12, 2012, Kalenka was driving his silver 2006 Mercedes-Benz northbound on Broad Street in Williston when he hit 41-year-old Dean LaLima, who was lying in the roadway. LaLima, who was returning home from his job as a manager at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria in Garden City, suffered a fractured skull, collarbone, pelvis, and crushing injuries to his head and legs. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
After running over LaLima, Kalenka continued driving to his home on Yale Street approximately 500 feet from the scene. Kalenka removed a piece of the driver’s side inner fender liner that had been knocked loose when he hit LaLima. The removed piece has never been found. Kalenka then returned to the scene and drove away without notifying police.
Members of the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad arrested Kalenka at his home two days later based on physical evidence left at the scene and witness statements. The judge rejected the defense’s claims that Kalenka was unaware that he had hit a person.
“The evidence clearly showed that Kalenka knew what he had done, had every opportunity to notify the police, and then went a step further by covering up his actions. I hope this verdict provides Mr. LaLima’s friends and family some solace with the knowledge that this defendant has been brought to justice.”
Assistant District Attorneys Katie E. Zizza and Christopher M. Casa of the DA’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau are prosecuting the case. Kalenka is represented by Brian Davis, Esq.