Queens Woman Indicted For Fatal Hit-In-Run Nassau Crash: DA

MINEOLA, NY — A Queens woman has been indicted for a fatal hit-and-run in Plainview earlier this year, prosecutors said.

Veronica Marmol, 40, was arraigned Thursday on charges of leaving the scene of an incident without reporting and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.

Marmol pleaded not guilty, and bail was set at $10,000 cash, $20,000 bond, and $150,000 partially secured bond. Her driver's license was also suspended.

On New Year's Day, Marmol was driving her white 2018 Jeep Wrangler eastbound on Old Country Road in Plainview.

The victim, 38-year-old Kevin Lawry, was crossing Old Country Road with a friend near Floral Avenue, when she allegedly struck the victim with her vehicle in the eastbound lanes of travel and fled, Donnelly said.

A witness to the crash called 911 and provided the Marmol's license plate number.

Police responded to the scene and pronounced the victim deceased, prosecutors said.

Marmol and her vehicle were located approximately two miles from the scene of the fatality near Diamond Drive and Central Park Drive in Plainview less than an hour after the crash, Donnelly said.

During the execution of a search warrant, approximately 1.66 grams of ketamine and marijuana were allegedly recovered from Marmol's vehicle after the crash, Donnelly said.

“This defendant allegedly struck an innocent man crossing Old Country Road and never looked back,” said Donnelly. “Veronica Marmol fled the scene as Kevin Lowry tragically took his final breaths, according to the charges. A good Samaritan who witnessed the crash thankfully recorded the defendant’s license plate number as she sped off and reported it to police, leading to her arrest two miles from the scene."

Marmol is represented by Mitchell Elman, who had no comment on the indictment when asked by Patch.

She is due back in court on September 18. If convicted, Marmol faces up to 2-1/3 to 7 years in prison.