Halloween prank turn into a deadly-hit-run?

(Harlem-WABC, Nov. 1, 2006) (WABC) -- A 15-year-old boy trick-or-treating with friends was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver as they ran onto the Harlem River Drive away from an alleged attacker, who was possibly armed with a knife.

The attacker apparently believed Stephon Bacchaino, known as "Binkie," and his friends had been throwing eggs at people as a Halloween prank.

A carton of eggs was found at a nearby playground in the Polo Grounds housing development near the highway, and witnesses said an egg fight led to the chase.

Police say Bacchaino and two pals ran onto the highway about 10 p.m. after being confronted by a boy believed to have a knife, who used to live in the same building.

Eyewitness News has learned his pals dashed safely across the busy highway, but the 15-year-old boy tripped while climbing over the center divider.

Witness: "They was playing around up the block with eggs, throwing them around and stuff then three boys ran off. They got to this highway, two boys ran across and the other one got stuck."

He apparently fell into traffic in the northbound lane and was hit by what police believe is a cream-colored Lincoln, which continued moving. Witnesses told police the driver stopped briefly, then sped away.

The brutal impact of the crash severed both of Stepon's legs and hurled him more than 30 feet onto the pavement near the 155th St. exit ramp in upper Manhattan. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are looking for any vehicles that may have front end damage or anything on the car that may indicate that someone was struck by it.

Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.

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