Cops Catch Driver Who Allegedly Killed Woman, Injured Man in Eastport Hit-and-Run

Suffolk County police said a local man was behind the wheel of the car that struck and killed 27-year-old Erika Strebel, and seriously injured her friend, three weeks ago.

Vehicular Crime Unit detectives charged Peter Torrillo, 48, of Eastport, with leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle crash, and leaving the scene of a serious injury incident, both felonies, on Monday. He will be held overnight at the Fourth Precinct and arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Tuesday.  

The arrest comes after a near 23 day investigation. 

Strebel, who leaves behind a young son, was killed when she and a friend, Edward Barton were standing near Strebel’s disabled 1988 Jeep in the shoulder of the eastbound lane on Montauk Highway in Eastport on Nov 2 at 9 p.m. 

Barton was injured in the incident. 

Torrillo was also headed east.

After the tragedy, friends turned to a  Facebook page to remember the young woman who touched their lives — and to express sorrow for the little boy she left behind and set up a GoFundMe page to help the little boy she left behind.

Related Reading: 

• Search On For Hit-And-Run Driver; Go Fund Me Set Up For Erika Strebel's Son
• Mom of Hit-And-Run Victim Erika Strebel: 'She Will Be Missed'
• Disabled Motorist Killed, Another Person Injured in Eastport