Matt Spillane

mspillane@lohud.com

Hundreds of tow-truck drivers from around the area gathered in Mamaroneck Tuesday morning to honor a colleague being laid to rest after being killed in a hit-and-run on Interstate 95 on Dec. 29.

A funeral Mass for Salvatore Brescia was held at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church in New Rochelle, where the 32-year-old had lived for many years. He was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in New Rochelle.

Before arriving at the cemetery, Brescia's family and friends traveled past Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck. Each driver — hundreds of them — honked their horns in honor of Brescia before joining the procession its way to the cemetery.

"Being involved with the fire department for 40 years I never saw a funeral procession so large was this," Mamaroneck village board member Lou Santoro said. "A fitting tribute to a great person. All the personnel that were involved in this should be commended on a fine and professional job. Once again the village of Mamaroneck has risen to the occasion."

INVESTIGATION: Police probe I-95 hit-and-run

BRESCIA: Fianc ée remembers tow-truck driver killed on I-95

TRAGEDIES mar holidays in Lower Hudson Valley

The procession made its way past Vincent Service Station on Fenimore Road in Mamaroneck, where Brescia worked as a tow-truck operator. Brescia was doing his job on Dec. 29, helping a stranded driver on I-95 in Harrison, when he was struck and killed by a passing vehicle.

Brescia had been loading a disabled minivan onto a flatbed truck on the northbound side of the highway when he was hit just before 7 a.m. He died at 8:15 a.m. at Greenwich Hospital.

The driver of the vehicle that struck Brescia disregarded the tow truck's flashing lights, as required by New York's "Move Over" law, and did not stop to help. The driver of the minivan was on the other side of the tow truck and did not see the vehicle responsible.

State police are investigating. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police at 845-727-2280 or 914-769-2600.

New York State Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. They can be reached at 1-866-313-8477. Vincent Service Station is also offering $2,500.

Brescia, who was born in New Rochelle, had also spent time living in Yonkers and had recently moved to Stamford, Connecticut, according to his obituary. He was set to be married on July 4, his fiancée, Kristin Neshewat, said.

In addition to Neshewat, Brescia is survived by his parents, Steven and Adele; brothers, Steven and Michael; and sister, Francesca.

Twitter: @MattSpillane