Couple Sentenced In Bizarre Fatal Hit-And-Run Cover-Up Attempt

KINGSTON, NY — A Hudson Valley couple is facing the consequences of a failed attempt to cover up the wife's responsibility in a deadly hit-and-run accident.

The Ulster County District Attorney's Office says that 43-year-old Ryan Maxwell, of Malden, was sentenced on Friday to 3 years of probation. His wife, 43-year-old Lacy Maxwell, was sentenced last month to 2 1/3-7 years in prison. The sentences are in connection to the fatal hit-and-run that killed 21-year-old Starllie Swonyoung, of Saugerties.

Lacy Maxwell pleaded guilty in August 2024 to leaving the scene of the accident which resulted in Swonyoung's death. She also pleaded guilty to felony third degree insurance fraud. Ryan Maxwell pleaded guilty to fifth degree insurance fraud for trying to help his wife mislead the insurance company and covering up the actual cause of the damage to their car.

"No sentence will ever bring back the victim or replace the loss for their families and loved ones," District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji said. "We must act to prevent these hurtful and painful experiences from reoccurring. Vigorous prosecution is a given when it happens, but I’d rather not have such irretrievable loss of life in the first place."

On January 10, 2024, Swonyoung and a friend had been walking on Route 9W just after 5 p.m. when Swonyoung was struck by a 2021 Subaru driven by Lacy Maxwell. Maxwell then fled the scene and did not stop to render care and aid or to report the incident. The next day, with the help of her husband, Ryan Maxwell, she staged an accident to account for the damage sustained to the car, and then submitted a claim to their insurance company.

A joint investigation was conducted with the Saugerties Police Department, the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and the Ulster County District Attorney's Office, with assistance from the Saugerties and Malden West Camp Fire Departments.

Police said tips from the community were instrumental in the investigation.

"Now that the final sentencing surrounding the terrible and needless loss of Starllie Swonyoung has come to a close, hopefully her family and friends can begin the healing process," Saugerties Police Chief KJ Swart said. "Cases such as this demonstrate the corroborative investigative efforts of the public with Ulster County’s law enforcement agencies. It is with their tireless efforts we were able to successfully conclude the investigation arresting those responsible for her death, and the attempted coverup."

Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Paul Derohannesian prosecuted the case. Defendant Lacy Maxwell was represented by Kingston attorney Tom Melanson and Ryan Maxwell was represented by Mikael Cohn.

SEE ALSO:

• 2 Accused Of Faking Evidence To Cover Up Fatal Hit-And-Run in HV
• Couple Admits Guilt In Fatal Hit-And-Run Cover-Up Attempt