Police have arrested and charged 70-year-old Anselm Okeke in the fatal East New York hit and run accident on Jan. 1.

Elvin Sanchez, 68, has been identified as the pedestrian killed.

Okeke, who faces charges for leaving the scene of a deadly accident, was arraigned in criminal court. A judge ordered a supervised release.

Neighbors of Sanchez are now speaking out on his behalf.

Many of the tenants who live in his apartment building say he was a kind soul, who always went out his way to greet you or lend a helping hand.

News 12 was told Sanchez also worked in the community center near his home.

Police say Sanchez was crossing the street just before 1 a.m. on New Year's Day — less than a mile away from there.

According to a criminal complaint, Okeke told police he got scared after the crash and left the scene without calling 911 — leaving the 68-year-old laid out on the street.

Those who knew the victim are still in shock by it all.