Unlicensed Patchogue driver charged with seriously injuring pedestrian

A pedestrian sustained serious injuries after being struck by an unlicensed driver in Patchogue, according to Suffolk police. Edison Jovanny Morocho Gonzalez, 24, of Patchogue, was allegedly driving without a license when he hit the individual on Route 112 near Silver Street early Sunday morning. The victim was airlifted to NYU Langone Hospital in Patchogue for treatment of his injuries.

Morocho Gonzalez was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and held at the sixth precinct pending arraignment at the First District Court in Central Islip on Monday. According to a Newsday investigation, there are approximately 50,000 unlicensed drivers on Long Island, a percentage more likely to cause fatal crashes.

Drivers without licenses are responsible for 14% of fatal crashes despite accounting for only 2% of all drivers.