Aron 'Eric' Aranbayev, co-owner of family-run diamond merchants Rafaello & Co., was struck by a vehicle in Queens, New York on Sunday night (19Jul15) after reportedly getting involved in an altercation with the driver.

He passed away in hospital the following day (20Jul15), according to the New York Post.

Police are appealing for information on the incident and say they are treating it as a homicide.