Police ID victim found hurt near Southern State

A man found critically injured alongside a road leading to the Southern State Parkway in West Babylon last month has been identified as Thomas Hendricks, 20, of Farmingdale, police said Wednesday. Suffolk County police also said for the first time that Hendricks died on Nov. 12 -- and that investigators continue to search for a driver in connection with the death.

Police said Hendricks either fell or was pushed from a moving light-colored Ford Explorer as it traveled north on Belmont Avenue near a ramp to the westbound Southern State at about 10:10 p.m. Nov. 10.

The cause of death was not released and police said Wednesday that the case has not been ruled a homicide -- but said it may be an accident.

Police also could not immediately say why Hendricks' identity and Nov. 12 death, at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, had not been previously released.

On Nov. 10, Hendricks was seen at the Cloverdale Apartments, which police said he frequented, on Great Neck Road in North Amityville.

Witnesses told police Hendricks was picked up by someone driving a Ford Explorer on Route 110 near the Southern State about 20 minutes before he reportedly was seen "falling" out of the vehicle in West Babylon. It was not clear whether the vehicle was driven by a man or woman, and no other information about the vehicle was available.

Police ask anyone with information surrounding Hendricks' death to call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential and callers are eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000.