Guilty Plea In Hit-And-Run That Killed Long Island Firefighter: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY — A Bellport woman pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an incident without reporting for her role in the crash that killed Christopher Hlavaty back in June, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

On June 10, Maria Guallpa-Bonilla, 36, left her job on Medford Avenue in Patchogue just before 10 p.m., she drove a blue 2001 Mercury Cougar westbound on East Main Street in Patchogue, without another licensed driver in the vehicle as was required by her permit restrictions, according to prosecutors.

As she made a left-hand turn to proceed southbound on Rider Avenue, she struck an eastbound motorcycle that was operated by Hlavaty, who had the right of way, prosecutors said, adding, that after driving over Hlavaty’s body with the front and rear tires of the car, she left the scene without stopping or rendering aid to him and failed to report the collision to law enforcement.

Hlavaty, a 22-year-old Hagerman Fire Department from East Patchogue, died as a result of the injuries he sustained from the crash, according to prosecutors.

Car parts found by law enforcement at the scene of the collision were determined to belong to a 2001 Mercury Cougar, and two days later, police found it in the driveway of her home, covered with a tarp to prevent it from being observed by the authorities, prosecutors said.

Tierney said Guallpa-Bonilla's "actions in leaving a young man to die on the road, after striking and running over his body, were callous and unconscionable."

“Ms. Guallpa- Bonilla was more concerned about the consequences that she would face, rather than rendering aid to Christopher Hlavaty," he said. "Motorcyclists have the right to drive on the streets in Suffolk County without having to worry that they are going to get struck by a vehicle and left to die. We hope this plea will give Mr. Hlavaty’s family and loved ones some small measure of justice.”

Under current State law, the maximum sentence that Guallpa-Bonilla faces on the top count is two and one-third to seven years in prison.

The DA’s office has recommended that Guallpa-Bonilla be sentenced to two to six years in prison.

Guallpa-Bonilla is due back in court for sentencing on Dec. 4

She is being represented by Luigi Belcastro of Central Islip.