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FDNY Employee Charged In Hit-And-Run Crash That Killed College Student On Long Island

LEVITTOWN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- An FDNY employee stood charged Sunday in connection to a November hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a college student on Long Island just days before her 19th birthday.

As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported, it was a heartbreaking case of a hit-and-run in front of dozens of witnesses on the Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown. For weeks, a Crime Stoppers sign implored witnesses to come forward.

Now, police say tips and surveillance video have led to an arrest.

On Nov. 9, Taranjit Parmar, 18, was driving along Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown just blocks from her home when she was rear-ended by a driver in a red Dodge pickup truck at a traffic light.

Investigators say the honors student stepped out of her car in a nearby parking lot to exchange papers with the other driver, identified as 31-year-old Daniel Coppolo of Deer Park. Instead, authorities say he ran her over in an attempt to flee the scene.

She was on the phone with her mother, who heard her last words.

"She said, 'stop, oh no, stop'," Parmar's father said.

Read More: Driver Runs Over Levittown Student, Speeds Off Following Fender Bender

After losing his daughter, Ranjit Parmar spoke publicly, hoping the driver of the pickup truck would do the right thing.

"Please, turn yourself in. Call the police," he said at the time.

Coincidentally, police say Coppolo was already incarcerated in Nassau County on an unrelated case, allowing authorities to continue their investigation and build their case against him.

He was arrested in the deadly hit-and-run immediately after being released from jail in the unrelated case.

"Defendant Coppolo is being charged with man slaughter second-degree, leaving the scene of an accident with death, tampering with physical evidence and reckless endangerment second-degree. He has a prior for DWI and leaving the scene of an accident," said Acting Nassau County police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.

A manhunt involved scouring vehicle records and ultimately, identifying a late-model red pickup from decals and lights caught gas station video.

Police credit the Levittown community for helping them catch Coppolo, receiving 57 tips from the public. It's a fact that gives Taranjit's father some comfort despite the horrific death of his daughter.

"It makes us feel good that there were so many people involved in this investigation," Ranjit said on Sunday.

Parmar, an honors student studying dentistry at Adelphi University, was described as a kind, ambitious girl who had hopes of opening her own dental practice in Levittown.

More: Family Of Levittown Hit-And-Run Victim Begs Teen's Killer To Turn Himself In

"If you're going to have a daughter, this is the one, and we've been blessed," her father said.

The family released a statement Saturday, saying "In the holiday season, the best gift is a hug and holding your loved ones tight. We lost that moment. Please cherish it."

Parmar's devout Sikh family gathered together Sunday, asking for privacy, but thanking the community for the outpouring of support.

Defense attorney Lawrence Carra says he hasn't seen credible evidence his client, who authorities say worked as an EMT dispatcher for the FDNY for roughly three years, was the driver.

Sources said Coppolo is now suspended from the FDNY without pay. His attorney told the judge his client has psychiatric problems and does not alwas take his medication.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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