Man To Be Charged In Fatal Palmer Hit And Run On New Year's Eve

PALMER (CBS) -- A Monson man will be facing charges after he allegedly fatally struck a man in a Palmer hit and run on New Year's Eve.

Christopher Lemek Jr., 40, was driving east on North Main Street when he allegedly struck and killed 59-year-old Palmer resident, Gary LeBlanc.

Police say Lemek became a suspect within hours of him driving away from the scene. Investigators executed a search warrant on Wednesday.

Lemek cooperated with investigators, police say, and using excavation equipment available on site he buried the truck in his backyard on New Year's Day. It was excavated on Friday, police say.

Police have not arrested Lemek, but he is expected to be charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident that resulted in death.

The accident remains under investigation by police.