Nearly 4 months later, search continues for driver in fatal Deer Park hit-and-run

Mary Ellen La Fata says it has been a difficult last few months since her brother, 51-year-old Robert Donahue, was run down and killed in Deer Park at the corner of Deer Park Avenue and Grand Boulevard.

News 12 Staff

Feb 12, 2020, 10:33 PM

Updated 1,528 days ago

Share:

A Bay Shore woman is demanding her brother's killer be caught nearly four months after the hit-and-run that took his life.
Mary Ellen La Fata says it has been a difficult last few months since her brother, 51-year-old Robert Donahue, was run down and killed in Deer Park at the corner of Deer Park Avenue and Grand Boulevard.
In late October, the driver who struck Donahue also side-swiped a white SUV a few blocks away and fled both scenes. As of today, no one has been arrested.
"The car was found that day around the corner from my mother's house, so we're just waiting," says La Fata.
Back in October, News 12 spoke to Donahue's mother Eileen. She said her son had schizophrenia and spent his days at a nearby library. She says he was killed while walking home from that library. She found out when he didn't come home at his usual time.
"We had to drive around looking for him, we had to ask the police on the street," says Eileen Donahue.
There were witnesses and surveillance cameras at the scene of the incident. La Fata contacted News 12 after becoming frustrated with how long it was taking for an arrest to be made.
A spokesperson for the Suffolk County Police Department say there is a potential suspect, that a truck involved has been impounded and they are awaiting more lab results.
"We want closure, we want to know what happened, just some kind of peace from it, how somebody can leave someone like that," says Eileen Donahue.
 


More from News 12
1:42
Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

2:19
Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

0:32
Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

0:56
Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

0:09
Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

2:16
Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

0:59
Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:01
New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

1:54
Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

2:45
Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

1:42
Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

0:27
Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

0:25
Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

0:48
Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

1:37
Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

0:31
Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

0:35
How to get rid of unused or expired medications

How to get rid of unused or expired medications

2:51
EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12