Montauk Man Arrested in Hit-and-Run Fatality

East Hampton Town police said Thursday that they had arrested the person they believe struck and killed John Judge on Amagansett's Main Street in October.

According to a release, Edward L. Orr, 30, of Edison Drive, Montauk, was behind the wheel of his 2004 Jeep Cherokee when it hit Mr. Judge, who had been crossing the street on foot. There were no witnesses.

Mr. Judge, 61, was found in the road shoulder, apparently just a short time after he had been struck, by East Hampton Town Councilman Dominick Stanzione. He was rushed to Southampton Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

During the initial investigation, police recovered parts of what they said was a dark-colored vehicle near where Mr. Judge had been struck. In an October Crime

Edward L. Orr in a photograph provided by East Hampton Town police.

Stoppers release, police said that Mr. Judge had been hit on Oct. 23 at about 7:50 p.m. and that the vehicle involved would have sustained front-end damage, as well as damage to a headlight and its front passenger side.

Police said Thursday night that Mr. Orr's Jeep was recovered in New Jersey but did not give any further details. He was arrested Thursday afternoon. A description of the charges has not been released.

An electrician who lived in Amagansett, Mr. Judge was a regular customer at Astro's Pizza in the hamlet, and had just left the shop when he was killed. He had worked for many years at Decorum Antiques and Accessories of Amagansett across Main Street. Elaine Monroe, its owner, recalled him in an obituary in The East Hampton Star as "a lovely guy, very generous. He would give you the shirt off his back."

Police have continued to ask that anyone who saw the incident phone their tip line at 631-537-7575.