Funeral Today For South Amboy Boy Killed In Staten Island Accident

A funeral for Kyrillos Gendy takes place at St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church in Holmdel today for a 4-year-old boy killed in an accident on Staten Island Friday night.

Meanwhile, the New York City man authorities say mowed down a family with his car, before fleeing the scene of the accident has pleaded not guilty — and denies he was behind the wheel.

John Sanjurjo told the Staten Island Advance police had the wrong guy before his arraignment Sunday. He had turned himself in  at the Hyland Boulevard station house hours before reports the New York Times.

Sanjurjo pleaded not guilty to one count of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in a fatality and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in injury.  He made a $50,000 bail and was released from custody.

Defense attorney Anthony Caronna unsuccessfully attempted to get the case against Sanjurjo dismissed, arguing his client hadn't been identified by witnesses in the Friday night accident.

Authorities say Sanjurjo's Mercedes Benz sedan fatally struck 4-year-old Kyrillos Gendy and injured his mother Arini Thomas and sister, as they crossed Richmond Avenue in Staten Island.

A wtiness, Kyrillo's cousin Adam Genty,22, told the New York Times that “Eyewitnesses say he did stop first, looked both ways,” Mr. Gendy said, “and then hit all three of them in one shot.”

"Full Of Life"

At a wake on Sunday night in Holmdel Thomas was too injured to stand according to WCBS TV. Kyrillos' father, meanwhile, cried and also showed anger during the service.

“(Kyrillos) was full of life,” the Rev. Abraham Wassef told mourners according to WCBS TV  “He was the most joyful little boy; very, very happy, always. He would always came running to myself and to Father Abram and give us a hug.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.