Crime & Safety

Suspect Arrested in Fatal Hit-and-Run

The accident took the life of Grimaldi's Pizza manager Dean LaLima.

A suspect has been arrested in the fatal hit-and-run accident that took the life of long-time Grimaldi's Pizza manager Dean LaLima early Sunday morning in Williston Park.

Raymond F. Kalenka, 45, of Williston Park, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the accident, police said. He is charged with leaving the scene of an accident with death. Kalenka will be arraigned on Wednesday at First District Court in Hempstead.

According to Nassau County police, LaLima, of Albertson, was found lying in the street at about 4:10 a.m. at the intersection of Syracuse Street and Broad Street in Williston Park after being struck by an unknown vehicle traveling northbound on Broad Street.

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LaLima, 41, was pronounced deceased by a Nassau County Ambulance Advanced Medical Technician at 4:20 a.m., police said.

Since his passing, the community has shown a ton of support for Grimaldi's and LaLima's family, praising him as not just an amazing worker with a "welcoming smile," but a "great friend."

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The tragedy is the second to hit Grimaldi's in less than a year. The establishment's owner Russell Ciolli, a best friend of LaLima's, died suddenly in November 2011. He was 39.

Visiting for Dean LaLima is Wednesday 7-9 p.m. and Thursday 2-5 and 7-9 p.m., Cassidy Funeral Home, 156 Willis Ave., Mineola. Funeral Mass to be held Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Aidan's Church. Entombment to follow at Holy Rood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to North Shore Animal League are appreciated.


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