SAUGERTIES―Following an investigation that spanned nearly two months, the Saugerties Police Department has identified two suspects in the hit-and-run death of a 21-year-old woman.
Lacey Maxwell, 42, and Ryan Maxwell, 43, both of Malden have been charged in the accident that occurred around 5:09 p.m. on January 10 along State Route 9W just north of the village of Saugerties.
Starllie Swonyoung of Saugerties was fatally struck while walking along the southbound shoulder of the roadway.
On Tuesday, police charged Lacey Maxwell with leaving the scene of a fatal accident, third-degree insurance fraud, staging a motor vehicle accident, and tampering with physical evidence, all felonies.
Ryan Maxwell was also charged with third-degree insurance fraud, staging a motor vehicle accident, and tampering with physical evidence.
“After an extensive investigation, it was determined that Lacey Maxwell was operating her 2021 Subaru south on Route 9W when she struck Starllie Swonyoung while she was walking along the shoulder, then fled the scene. The investigation revealed that the following day, both Maxwells staged an accident with the 2021 Subaru to account for the damage sustained from striking Swonyoung,” Saugerties Police stated.
Saugerties Police were assisted by New York State Police, the Ulster County District Attorney's Office, Saugerties and Malden West Camp Fire Departments and the Saugerties community, who they said “provided a tremendous number of leads and video footage from the public that help assist with this investigation.”
The Maxwells were charged after an indictment from the Ulster County Grand Jury and were remanded to the Ulster County Jail. They are expected to be arraigned before Ulster County Court Judge Bryan Rounds on Wednesday morning.