Arrests in New Year's Eve hit and run on Long Island

NORTH BABYLON (WABC) -- Police have arrested a man in connection with a New Year's Eve hit-and-run accident that critically injured a teenager on Long Island.

Kristofer Busching shook his head in court, saying that he didn't mean to hit anyone.

The 25-year-old is being charged with assault in the first degree.

Police say he hit a teenager from West Islip who friends identified as 16-year-old Ryan McCarthy.

They say after driving into McCarthy, Busching kept going

Busching's father had this to say today at court.

"My thoughts are with the family and the victim right now," Busching's father said.

"Right now we're entering a plea of not guilty, as I said up there it seems that this charge of assault may be a little bit of an over charging," said Michael Gajdos, defense attorney.

Prosecutors say McCarthy was walking on Udall Road on New Year's Eve.

They say he threw something at Bushing's car as Busching was driving by.

The two exchanged words and that's when investigators say Busching drove straight at McCarthy hitting him at full speed.

McCarthy has been in critical condition ever since.

His aunt was at court Monday.

"I'm happy that they found them, yes, I'm happy for that," his aunt said.

Police also charged Busching's passenger, 19-year-old Carlo Caamano with conspiracy.

They say he tried to help Busching cover up the alleged crime.

Police also arrested Busching's girlfriend, 23-year-old Alicia Santamaria.

Investigators say she wasn't in the car at the time but staged an accident with Bushing's car also to try to cover up what had happened.

It's unclear if the suspects and the victim knew each other.

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