Police arrested Waldemar Gonzalez after a fatal Tompkinsville hit-and-run.
Police said Waldemar Gonzalez struck pedestrian Alex Fakih and left the scene at Van Duzer Street and St. Julian Place; the official record logs one pedestrian death there at 9:20 p.m. on July 7, 2022.
Approximate reported location.
What We Know
Police said Waldemar Gonzalez drove north on Van Duzer Street, struck Alex Fakih and left; reports differ on which street Fakih was crossing. Fakih later died at Richmond University Medical Center, and his wife remembered him as a helpful neighbor. Gonzalez was arrested nearby and charged with leaving the scene and aggravated unlicensed operation.
Reports differ on Fakih's crossing route.
Police reporting identified Gonzalez as the driver who struck Fakih and left the scene. 1010 WINS and Streetsblog said Gonzalez was driving north on Van Duzer Street.
1010 WINS reported that Fakih was crossing eastbound on St. Julian Place. Streetsblog, citing police, said Fakih was crossing west to east over Van Duzer Street and was struck on Van Duzer Street Extension. The official record gives the crash time as 9:20 p.m.; the Daily News reported around 9:30 p.m., and 1010 WINS reported just before 9:30.
Van Duzer splits into two roadways at the junction.
The official record places the crash at Van Duzer Street and St. Julian Place in Tompkinsville. Streetsblog describes St. Julian Place as a one-block street and says northbound Van Duzer splits there into Van Duzer Street and Van Duzer Street Extension, leaving pedestrians a wide stretch to cross. Citing police, Streetsblog places the impact on Van Duzer Street Extension.
Fakih was remembered as a helpful neighbor.
The Daily News reported that Alex Fakih, 49, was a father of four and was taking his nightly neighborhood walk. His wife, Janet, said he was a familiar, helpful figure on the block: “He always lends a helping hand.”
Reports give different pickup details.
The official record lists a 2004 Ford pickup. The Daily News described a blue 2004 Ford pickup, while 1010 WINS and Streetsblog identified the pickup as an F-150.
Gonzalez was arrested nearby and charged.
Police said officers found Gonzalez a short distance from the crash. The Daily News reported he was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. The paper also reported that his license was suspended and that he had 10 previous suspensions.
1010 WINS reported that Fakih was taken to Richmond University Medical Center and later pronounced dead. The Daily News said he died there about five hours after the crash.