Couple arrested in fatal hit-run
SAUGERTIES — After an investigation that stretched nearly two months, Saugerties police Tuesday night announced the arrests of two suspects in connection with a hitand-run that killed 21-year-old Starllie Swonyoung and sparked widespread interest in Ulster County.
Lacy L. Maxwell, 42, of Malden, was charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident, insurance fraud, staging a motor vehicle accident and tampering with physical evidence, the department said in a release.
Ryan M. Maxwell, 43, of Malden, was charged with insurance fraud, staging a motor vehicle accident and tampering with physical evidence, according to the announcement.
All of the charges are felonies.
Saugerties police said an extensive investigation found that Lacy Maxwell was driving her 2021 Subaru south on route 9W when she struck Swonyoung, who was walking along the shoulder, around 5:10 p.m. on Jan. 10. Maxwell then fled the scene, according to police.
The following day, the couple staged an accident with the Subaru to account for the damage sustained from striking Swonyoung, police said.
The Maxwells were charged after an indictment from an Ulster County grand jury. They were arraigned Wednesday before Ulster County Court Judge Bryan Rounds, where both pleaded not guilty. Lacy Maxwell was remanded to the Ulster County Jail on $100,000 cash bail, $200,000 property bond and $300,000 partially secured bond. Ryan Maxwell was released on his own recognizance, as his charges are ineligible for cash bail.
Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Paul Derohannesian is assigned to this case, according to a release from the Ulster County district attorney’s office. Lacy Maxwell is represented by Kingston attorney Tom Melanson; Ryan Maxwell is represented by Mikael Cohn.
The Saugerties Police Department was assisted by State Police investigators, troopers and the Collision Reconstruction Unit, the Ulster County district attorney’s office, the Saugerties and Malden West Camp Fire Departments and the Saugerties community, who provided a tremendous number of leads and video footage that helped assist with the investigation, according to the release.