Erika Woods said her 19-year-old son, Eryk McPherson, was smart, helpful and kind.
Eryk McPherson died Sunday night after he was struck by a driver at Joshuas Path and Vanderbilt Avenue in Central Islip.
The driver, 21-year-old David Alfaro, of Central Islip, was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Woods had started a new job about three weeks ago in Central Islip and his mom said she worried about him riding back and forth on his bike to and from his Brentwood home.
At Alfaro’s arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip, the prosecutor did not appear to be aware that Woods had died from his injuries.
His dad repeatedly yelled out, “My son is not alive.”
He left the courtroom and the case was called again a little while later.
Alfaro pleaded not guilty and is being held on $100,000 cash bail over $300,000 bond.