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Driver Who Struck and Killed Woman in Astoria Turned Himself In, DA Says

 Nicholas Colleran, 24, turned himself into police after fatally striking Betty Jean Dibiasio in Astoria.
Nicholas Colleran, 24, turned himself into police after fatally striking Betty Jean Dibiasio in Astoria.
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DITMARS — An unlicensed driver turned himself in to police for the hit-and-run death of a woman in Astoria on Saturday, saying he panicked, according to the Queens District Attorney's Office.

Nicholas Colleran, 24, drove his Chevy Impala through a stop sign at Ditmars Boulevard and 19th Street shortly after midnight on Saturday, striking 21-year-old Betty DiBiasio as she was crossing the street in a crosswalk.

She was taken to Elmhurst Hospital with severe head trauma, where she was pronounced dead, according to police.

About an hour after the incident, Colleran allegedly called 911 to report that his car had been stolen from the parking lot behind his home, and went to the 114th Precinct to fill out a police report, according to the DA's office.

His car was found a few hours later on 42nd Street off of Ditmars Boulevard, with a broken windshield, side mirror, damaged fender and blood and hair on the driver's side windshield, officials said.

The DA's office said Colleran, who did not have a valid driver's license, turned himself into police the next day, saying he'd had two beers before the crash and that he panicked after hitting DiBiasio.

He was arraigned Monday night on charges of leaving the scene of an incident without reporting a death, falsely reporting an incident, failure to stop for a stop sign, driving by an unlicensed operator, failure to exercise due care and for violating the city’s administrative "Right-of-Way" code, the DA's office said.

Colleran faces up to seven years in prison if convicted, officials said. His defense attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment Tuesday.