Galloway Man Charged in Fatal Atlantic City Hit and Run

A Galloway man has been charged with leaving the scene of a fatal hit-and-run in Atlantic City last week, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor James P. McClain announced on Thursday, July 19.

The incident took place on July 9, and involved a man in a wheelchair who was attempting to cross the intersection of the White Horse Pike and Pennsylvania Avenue via the crosswalk, McClain said.

Leo Strazzeri, 42, was charged with second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident after he struck 45-year-old Daniel Tavarez as Tavarez was attempting to cross the street, McClain said.

According to McClain, the autopsy revealed Tavarez's cause of death as the result of multiple traumatic injuries. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Atlantic City Police found Strazzeri's car unoccupied in Atlantic City, and subsequently located Strazzeri, McClain said. Following an investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office Fatal Collisions Unit, McClain charged Strazzeri with second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

Strazzeri was also charged with multiple motor vehicle infractions, including: leaving the scene of an accident; failure to report an accident; careless
driving; failure to exhibit a driver’s license; failure to exhibit registration; uninsured motorist; and reckless driving.

Strazzeri faces 5-10 years in State Prison for leaving the scene. He has been lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility on $50,000 full cash bail.