Father of 13-year-old cyclist injured in West Islip hit-and-run calls for upgraded charges
Video first reported by News 12 shows a driver heading toward a group of children on bicycles.
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A Deer Park man is facing misdemeanor charges after police say he struck a 13-year-old boy riding a bike and fled the scene Sunday evening.
Charles Dreitlein declined to comment when News 12 approached him at his home following his arrest.
Police said the crash happened on Roderick Road. Video first reported by News 12 shows a driver heading toward a group of children on bicycles. One child falls, and an SUV appears to drive away with a bike lodged underneath.
The injured teen suffered hand, leg and head injuries, according to his father, William McCaw.
“He’s a little bit stressed out... traumatized is the best word,” McCaw said.
About a mile from the crash site, a neighbor at Ruth Street and Kane Street said he heard a screech around 7:45 p.m. Sunday and then saw a mangled bicycle in the roadway.
Dreitlein was arrested Monday and charged with third-degree assault and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in personal injury.
McCaw said he is grateful an arrest was made within a day, but believes the charges do not go far enough.
“The charges are weak. The charges need to be upgraded,” he said. “If they don’t, they’re going to hear from me and maybe other angry parents in the community. He intentionally targeted these kids.”
McCaw said he hopes his son continues to recover and that the case results in accountability.
The Suffolk DA's office says Dreitlein will face a judge on June 26.
