Long Island Man Pleads Guilty To Vehicular Manslaughter In Hit-And-Run Death: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY — A Ronkonkoma man has pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter in connection with the hit-and-run death of a woman last year, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Thursday.

Wade Gagliano pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, driving while intoxicated, and driving while ability impaired by drugs, the DA said.

When Gagliano appears in court for sentencing on Jan. 25, he faces a maximum sentence 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison, the DA added. Tierney's office has recommended Gagliano be sentenced to 2 to 6 years in prison.

His license will also be revoked.

Gagliano was driving a 2006 Lexus RX 330 at around 1:30 a.m. in August after drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana on Johnson Avenue in Ronkonkoma, when the vehicle struck and killed Adrienne Wagner, who was crossing the street, prosecutors said.

Gagliano, 24, then left the scene in the Lexus without contacting law enforcement to report the crash or helping Wagner, according to prosecutors.

Wagner, 67, of Ronkonkoma died as a result of the injuries she sustained from the crash, prosecutors said.

Gagliano then drove to his home and told his family members what happened, prosecutors said, adding that after "a period of time," a 911 call was made by an individual at the home where Gagliano lived.

When police responded to Gagliano’s home, they saw his SUV had front-end damage, a cracked windshield and was missing the driver’s side mirror, prosecutors said.

Gagliano was placed under arrest, and a sample of his blood was taken which revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .10 percent and the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol at a level indicating recent use, according to prosecutors.

"Driving under the influence not only decreases your ability to drive due to its effects on people’s motor skills, but it also causes poor reaction time and decision-making, which can have life-altering effects for pedestrians and fellow motorists," Tierney said."Adrienne Wagner’s life was tragically cut short because this defendant decided to get behind the wheel of a vehicle when he should not have, and then fled the scene after he struck her."

"Crimes such as these are completely avoidable, and our legislators need to increase penalties for leaving the scene of fatal crashes," he added.

Gagliano's attorney, Anthony LaPinta of Hauppauge, said there was "a unique set of facts involving the Wagner walking into the roadway, resulting in this accident."

"Mr. Gagliano has accepted responsibility for driving while intoxicated by drugs and alcohol and leaving the scene of a fatal accident; however, it is our position that his intoxication did not cause the accident," he said. "Having pleaded guilty to the indictment, we have presented significant mitigation to the court and will be requesting a non-jail sentence involving significant community service."