A man pleaded not guilty Wednesday in the hit-and-run that took the life of a NYPD officer from Valley Stream.

William Espinal-Mejia, of Linden, New Jersey, is accused of striking and killing off-duty NYPD Officer Vincent Harrison, of Valley Stream, on the New Jersey Turnpike early Sunday morning.

Prosecutors say Harrison was outside of his own car on the shoulder of the turnpike after a separate accident when the 35-year-old suspect hit him and then drove off. 

Espinal-Mejia's attorney says that his client got out of his car to help the fallen individual, but a tractor-trailer started to jackknife, creating a dangerous situation. He says the suspect's wife and cousin were in the car, so he made the decision to leave.

Prosecutors say Espinal-Mejia didn't leave the scene for the safety of his family, but to escape law enforcement. Prosecutors add that they have a strong case, including physical evidence that Espinal-Mejia hit Harrison and then left.