Long Island Man Indicted In Hit-And-Run That Killed Woman

RIVERSIDE, NY — A Holtsville man has been indicted in connection with his leaving the scene of a car crash that left a woman dead earlier this year, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney's office said Wednesday.

Steven Syrop, 52, was indicted for leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, which resulted in the death of 42-year-old Jennifer Bianco, of Bay Shore, in May, his office said.

Tierney said Syrop was "more concerned about the consequences that he would face, rather
than rendering aid" to Bianco.

"Our state legislators must act now to close the loophole in New York State regarding hit-and-run cases," he said. "The current law inadvertently encourages drivers who may be under the influence to flee the scene of an accident rather than stay."

"This not only endangers the lives of the victims but also destroys potential critical evidence," he said. "The penalties for serious and deadly hit-and-runs must be amended to be the same as the penalties for vehicular assault and vehicular manslaughter.”

At around 12 a.m., Syrop was driving a blue 2020 Chevy Silverado southbound on North Ocean Avenue in Holtsville when he struck Bianco, who was walking on the shoulder of the roadway, and he left the scene without stopping or helping her and then did not report it to law enforcement. prosecutors said.

Bianco died at the scene as a result of the injuries she sustained from the crash.

Car parts found by law enforcement along the shoulder of the road at the site of the crash
matched the damage to Syrop's car, which was found parked at his home the day after the
crash, according to prosecutors.

Syrop has been ordered held on $10,000 cash, $20,000 bond, or $100,000 partially-secured bond during the pendency of the case. His driver’s license has also been suspended.

Syrop is due back in court on Dec. 7.

His attorney, Edward Palermo of Hauppauge, could not be immediately reached for comment.