NEW DORP — A woman hit by a car while walking her dog has died from her injuries — and her family said her beloved pet is still missing.
Maria Serrano, 50, of New Dorp, was out walking her terrier mix, Oscar, and was crossing the intersection of Amboy and Richmond roads at 6:52 a.m. Saturday when she was hit by a 2014 Toyota Tacoma making a left turn onto Amboy Road, police said.
Serrano was taken to Staten Island University Hospital North, where she was pronounced dead on Monday, police said.
The driver, Luigi Tucci, 71, of Lighthouse Hill, remained on scene and was charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, according to the NYPD.
"She was just a really sweet, loving person," said Taylor Lombardi, who's son is Serrano's great aunt. "She loved animals, she loved nature.
Lombardi said Oscar went missing after the crash. Her family posted fliers online and around the neighborhood in an effort to find the dog.
"They said that [Oscar] was running back and forth frantically, but no one went to grab him," Lombardi said.