NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — DNA evidence left behind in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Brooklyn helped cops to find the person responsible for the death of a homeless man, who was a former high school football star, according to a report.
Police sources tell the Daily News that it took seven months for detectives to solve the case of Michael Williams, 45, who was fatally struck outside of a homeless shelter on Atlantic Avenue on Feb. 17.
Authorities say the former football star remained in critical condition for several weeks following the crash and died on April 5 at Kings County Hospital.
The Daily News reports cops found footage from the incident showing a Nissan Pathfinder strike Williams. Detectives found the vehicle abandoned about two miles from the scene and say it was registered to Ameris Baez, 53, of Baldwin.
The registration was not enough to make an arrest, the outlet reports.
However, sources told the Daily News that detective work found Baez's DNA inside the SUV and Williams' DNA on the exterior – which was enough for an indictment.
Baez was arrested on Saturday and charged with two counts of leaving the scene of a fatal accident, unlicensed aggravated driving and driving without a license.
"It's a good feeling when you get evidence and make progress in a case but you're never really happy about any success because it's born out of tragedy," Squad Sergeant Eric Healy told the paper. "But it's good to know you are getting justice for the family."
The News reports Williams was a former high school football star who struggled with addiction, mental health issues and homelessness after his dreams of going pro fell apart.
