Arrest Made In Fatal Hit-And-Run That Killed Beloved Local Man: PD

According to Southampton Town Police Department detectives, Benjamin J. Sheenwaltzer, 32, of Southampton turned himself in to police after an extensive, months'-long investigation into the fatal hit-and-run that occurred on Springville Road on March 6, resulting in the death of Angel Astimbay, 67.

Sheenwaltzer was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a crash with injuries resulting in death, and tampering with physical evidence, both felonies, police said.

He was arraigned in Suffolk County Court and released on $50,000 bail, police said.

According to Southampton Town police t the time, Asimbay was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center after he was struck; he subsequently succumbed to his injuries. The crash took place at 5:o1 p.m. at the intersection of Springville Road and Neptune Avenue, police said.

Heartbroken community members flooded local Facebook pages in an outpouring of sorrow after they learned that Angel had died.

"He deserved so much better than that. I did not know him, but I had much respect for him and cared," one person wrote. "He was part of this great community and clearly appreciated by many. Praying he is in a better place."

All remembered Angel as a hardworking man, dedicated to his family — and always, with a smile on his face. Some said they saved their cans for him; one said they would sometimes drive him to the supermarket.

Many came forward, offering to assist with funeral expenses.

"He has been a part of Hampton Bays for as long as I can remember. Always a smile on his face. RIP Angel. HB is going to miss you," one person wrote.

Cynthia Goldrick told Patch: "Here is a particularly fond memory. We used to see Angel around town, and when we had full bags at home, we'd ask him to wait while we went back to grab them for him. One day as we were saying good-bye to him, my daughter finished her juice box and ran back to him to hand it over. She didn't know that it wasn't redeemable. Angel took it and put it with the cans and gave her the biggest smile and said thank you. Bottom line is, he was a fixture in town — and he will be missed."

Marion Boden agreed: "The man was a fixture in Hampton Bays. Maybe most of us never met him — but we all knew him."