FRANKLINK SQUARE, N.Y. (WPIX)—
Cops on Long Island are on the hunt for a hit-and-run driver who is accused of killing a father on his motorcycle, who was reportedly heading home Sunday to meet his family to go to the Radio City Christmas show.According to Nassau County police, John Deiker, 46, was six houses away from his Franklin Square residence when his 2004 motorcycle was hit by an unknown motorist near Commonwealth and Naple Avenue around 11:46 a.m.
Deiker was rushed to Franklin Hospital Medical Center in Valley Stream where he was pronounced dead at 12:31 p.m.
Deiker's sister-in-law says the family is in unbearable pain.
"He's got a wife, he's got a mother that is devastated...his family, his kids are devastated," she told PIX News.
His wife, Christine, was notified of the accident by a neighbor who had heard the collision down the street. Christine - along with her 4-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter - were waiting for Deiker so they could head to Manhattan to see a Christmas show.
A photo taken after the crash shows Deiker's downed motorcycle and debris left in the roadway from the vehicle that hit him - forensic evidence police hope will lead them to the driver.
"Numerous people heard the crash...no one necessarily saw it.," said Nassau County Homicide Detective John DeMartinis.
The grieving family hopes the driver will have some conscious and not wait until tracked by police, but will instead do the right thing and come forward.
"Just let them rest," said the sobbing sister-in-law.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS.
