BUFFALO, N.Y. — An Elma woman who admitted to leaving the scene of a fatal pedestrian accident was sentenced to probation.
Stephanie R. Kollatz, 37, was sentenced for leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death on Wednesday before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to five years of probation. In addition to probation, Kollatz is ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and her New York State driver’s license is revoked for one year.
Investigators says Kollatz was driving north on Transit Road in Elma on Jan. 8, 2024, when she hit a pedestrian that was walking along the road between French Road and Clinton Street. Kollatz admitted to driving away from the crash without calling police to report the incident. A passing motorist saw the victim on the ground and contacted police.
The victim, an unidentified male, died at the scene.
Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane said, "This is a tragedy, obviously this was an accident, we don't believe that she intentionally struck this man, there was no evidence of drugs or alcohol, but this is a felony. To leave the scene of a personal injury accident that in this case resulted in death. It's a D felony."
At the time of the incident, Kollatz was driving a vehicle with a suspended registration, no valid driver's license, vehicle insurance, or inspection.
Kollatz could have received up to seven years in prison.
In response to the sentence, Keane said, "This charge could result in a seven-year sentence, but the judge had agreed at the time of the plea that he would not sentence her to anymore time than six months in jail and probation."
Police are still trying to identify the victim in the crash. Anyone with information on the identity of the victim or information on the crash is asked to call the Erie County District Attorney’s Office at 716-858-2400.