Desmond Gaines, of Massapequa, fatally struck by driver in Massapequa

Nassau police at the scene in Massapequa where a pedestrian... — Nassau police at the scene in Massapequa where a pedestrian was fatally struck by a car Thursday. Credit: Jim Staubitser

By John Valentijohn.valenti@newsday.comUpdated May 16, 2023

Police have identified the 42-year-old man who was killed when he was struck by a car as he attempted to cross Merrick Road late Thursday night in Massapequa as Desmond Gaines, of Massapequa.

Police said the driver, identified only as a 19-year-old, remained at the scene.

He has not been charged.

Homicide Squad detectives said Gaines was attempting to cross Merrick Road from north to south in an area near Carman Mill Road when he was struck by an eastbound 2015 BMW at 11:07 p.m. He suffered "head and body trauma" and died at the scene, police said.

The investigation is continuing.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”

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