Raynard Williams charged in fatal hit-and-run of pedestrian Paul Benjamin in Central Islip, police say

A Central Islip man has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash that killed a pedestrian Monday in Central Islip, Suffolk police said.

Raynard Williams, 47, was arrested Thursday and charged with leaving the scene of an incident with a fatality, Suffolk County police Major Case Unit detectives said.

Williams pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Thursday in First District Court in Central Islip, where District Court Judge Mary Kate Mullen set bail at $75,000 cash, $150,000 bond or $750,000 partially secured bond. Williams was represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County, where representatives could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.

Police said Williams was driving a dark-colored sport utility vehicle when he struck Paul Benjamin, 68, who was walking in the roadway, near the intersection of Carleton Avenue and Elmore Street at about 8:30 p.m. Monday. The SUV then drove off southbound, police said.

Benjamin, of Central Islip, was transported to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, where he was pronounced dead.

Police did not detail what evidence led to the arrest.

Williams is due back in court Aug. 8.