Man Kills Self After Missing Sentencing In Fatal Hit-And-Run: Police

MIDDLETOWN, NY — A Sullivan County man apparently killed himself Tuesday as police were attempting to take him into custody after he failed to appear in court for sentencing in a fatal hit-and-run.

The New York State Police said, shortly before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, troopers, along with members of the City of Middletown Police Department, went to a home on Watkins Avenue in Middletown to find Raymond Cammerino, 50, of Bloomingburg.

Cammerino had pleaded guilty Oct. 11 to second-degree vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident that resulted in a death, felonies.

His guilty plea was a result of an investigation into the death of Tamika Zambrano, 39, of Bloomingburg, on May 12, 2021, on Mamakating Road in Mamakating.

Zambrano had been walking on the north shoulder of the road with the flow of traffic when she was struck by an SUV that fled from the scene.

Cammerino was found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.16 percent, police said.

Authorities said Cammerino was scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday, but he didn’t show up in court. A warrant for his arrest was issued by the Sullivan County Court.

When law enforcement got to his home, they said they saw Cammerino through the front door holding a handgun.

He disappeared into a back room, and troopers said they heard a single gunshot coming inside the home.

When police entered the residence, Cammerino was found dead with a single gunshot wound to his head, according to authorities.

State police were assisted in the investigation by the City of Middletown Police Department.

The Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York was notified and responded to the scene.

Authorities said the investigation is still ongoing.