Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A North Bellport man has been indicted on multiple charges in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian on the Sunrise Highway Service Road in Bay Shore this past February. Andrew Holmes-Garriques faces charges including DWI, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle after prosecutors say he fatally struck Korey Klein and fled the scene without rendering aid or contacting police.
According to authorities, Holmes-Garriques was driving impaired by marijuana at the time of the collision when he struck and killed Klein on the Sunrise Highway Service Road. After the fatal impact, prosecutors say the defendant immediately fled the scene without stopping to provide assistance to the victim or notify law enforcement of the deadly crash.
The case took an unusual turn when Holmes-Garriques returned to the crash scene hours after the initial incident, according to authorities. It was at that point that he was arrested in connection with Klein’s death. Officials administered field sobriety testing to the suspect, which he failed, providing evidence of his impaired state during the time of the collision.
The indictment represents a significant escalation in the case, with prosecutors moving forward with formal charges that could result in substantial prison time. Holmes-Garriques now faces the possibility of 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison if convicted of the top count among the charges filed against him. The range of charges reflects the multiple violations authorities allege occurred during the incident, from the initial impaired driving to the decision to flee the scene and operate a vehicle without a valid license.
News 12 reports that the fatal collision occurred on the Sunrise Highway Service Road, a busy thoroughfare that runs parallel to the main Sunrise Highway corridor. The service road typically carries local traffic and provides access to businesses and residential areas in the Bay Shore community, making it a frequently traveled route for both vehicles and pedestrians in the area.
The victim, Korey Klein, was struck and killed during the February incident, though authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances that led Klein to be on the roadway at the time of the collision. The case highlights the serious consequences that can result when impaired drivers make the decision to flee the scene of an accident rather than remain to provide assistance and cooperate with law enforcement.
Location & Road Context
The fatal collision occurred on the Sunrise Highway Service Road in Bay Shore, a critical east-west transportation corridor that serves as a major artery for both local and regional traffic on Long Island. The service road runs parallel to the main Sunrise Highway, providing access to local businesses, residential areas, and connecting streets throughout the Bay Shore community.
This stretch of roadway has been the site of multiple serious traffic incidents in recent months, including other pedestrian-involved crashes and serious injury collisions. The area’s mix of commercial and residential development creates frequent pedestrian activity, while the proximity to the main Sunrise Highway means drivers often use the service road as an alternative route during peak traffic periods.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Holmes-Garriques is scheduled to appear back in court on June 1 for the next phase of legal proceedings. The indictment on multiple charges represents prosecutors’ commitment to pursuing serious consequences for the combination of impaired driving, unlicensed operation, and leaving the scene of a fatal crash.
The charges of DWI, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle each carry significant potential penalties under New York State law. The most serious charge carries a potential sentence of 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison, reflecting the gravity of the allegations and the tragic outcome of the incident.
Broader Impact
The case underscores the compounding legal consequences that result when drivers choose to flee the scene of serious crashes. Under New York law, leaving the scene of a fatal accident significantly increases potential penalties beyond those associated with the underlying DWI charge, particularly when combined with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, creating a scenario where defendants face multiple felony charges that can result in substantial prison sentences.