A beloved Long Island veteran tragically died after being struck by a stolen car mere moments after leaving a commemoration at his granddaughters elementary school.
Vietnam War veteran Peter Morris, 80, had just climbed into his car outside Woodward Parkway Elementary School in South Farmingdale just before noon Friday, when a stolen Nissan driven by 24-year-old Randy Colon slammed into him at full speed.
Morris’ car was thrown smoking onto the school lawn, while Colon spilled out of his car and attempted to flee on foot.
Colon was eventually located and arrested — but Morris was declared dead at the scene.
“I’ve been living here for 50 years, and this is the worst accident I’ve ever seen,” witness Tony Ferrara told News 12.
Morris had just been taking pictures with his 9-year-old granddaughter at her school, where they’d attended a ceremony honoring veterans.
“[He] sat in the front with a big smile on his face the entire morning telling everybody about himself and his life and his children and how proud he was to be sitting there today,” Morris’ daughter, Suzanne Rysanek told Newsday.
“And all of these little kids came up to him and thanked him and hugged him,” she added. “We got some great pictures and videos of him, which now I’ll never forget.”
Morris was a “loud and boisterous” jokester who “always had something funny to say,” his family said, adding they believed he is now with his wife who died five months ago.
“It’s tragic,” witness Katrina Innamorato said. “Especially with an elementary school right there and all those children around.”
Colon was charged with manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death and other charges, Newsday reported.
He remains in jail after being denied bond, and will be in court again on Nov. 12.
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