West Babylon grandpa’s organ gift saves Texan after fatal hit-and-run

A West Babylon grandfather killed in a hit-and-run crash in Freeport earlier this month has saved a life through organ donation, LiveOnNY announced on Wednesday.

Octavio De Jesus Espinal, 76, died after he was struck by a light-colored sedan at North Grove Street and Brooklyn Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 8, Nassau police said. The driver fled southbound.

Espinal, who had just finished a shift at work when he was hit, was rushed to a hospital and died from his injuries several days later.

LiveOnNY, the nonprofit that coordinates organ donation across the New York metropolitan region, confirmed this week that Espinal’s liver was successfully transplanted to a 71-year-old man in Texas.

“In the midst of this tragedy, Octavio — beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather — became an organ donor hero after his family generously said ‘yes’ to giving the gift of life,” Leonard Achan, president and CEO of LiveOnNY, said. “We are humbled to be the stewards of these precious gifts on behalf of Octavio, so that he and others may live on. Our deepest condolences remain with his family and friends.”

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Espinal was a full-time maintenance worker in a Freeport building and had recently celebrated beating prostate cancer, his daughters previously told NBC News 4 New York’s Greg Cergol. He lived with his daughter’s family in West Babylon.

Espinal’s family made the decision to donate his organs following his death on Nov. 15, Diario Libre reported. They hosted a walk of honor at Mount Sinai South Nassau to honor Espinal’s legacy.

Relatives said Espinal had dreamed of returning to the Dominican Republic in retirement.

“He said, ‘I’ll work until I’m 80, and then I’m going to Santo Domingo,’” his daughter Ivelisse said in the NBC News 4 report. “He brought together many things, he sent over many boxes, and that was his future.”

Another daughter, Mary Silverio, said the family was devastated that the driver never stopped.

“That’s what hurts me the most,” she said. “Anyone can make a mistake, but he could have at least helped him.”

In a GoFundMe post that had initially sought to raise money for Espinal’s recovery, the family said: “Our hearts are shattered. He was a hardworking, loving, and humble man who dedicated his life to his family. His smile, kindness, and strength touched everyone who knew him.”

The family is seeking “support to help with funeral and memorial costs.”

The Nassau County Homicide Squad is investigating the hit-and-run. Police asking anyone with information to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1.800.244.TIPS.

“May he rest in eternal peace, and may justice be served for what happened to him,” Espinal’s family wrote on the GoFundMe page honoring him.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the fundraiser had received $12,000 from 189 donations.

_{Top: Octavio De Jesus Espinal, 76 (courtesy of GoFundMe)}