A woman is accused of hitting a pedestrian and stopping her car only long enough to try to remove the victim’s suitcase stuck under the car before fleeing the scene.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Amanda Kempton, 32, of Fairfax, Virginia, was indicted for Leaving the Scene of an Incident Resulting in Death, after she allegedly struck and killed pedestrian Sara Burack, 40, of Southampton, on West Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays in June.
“Leaving the scene of a fatal collision makes a tragic situation even worse,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Rather than rendering help to Ms. Burack, the defendant allegedly left her to die. This indictment is an important step towards justice for Sara and her loved ones.”
According to the investigation, on June 19, 2025, Kempton was driving a 2004 Toyota Highlander westbound on West Montauk Highway near Springville Road in Hampton Bays when she struck Burack, who was walking along West Montauk Highway with a suitcase. At the time of the crash, Burack’s suitcase became lodged underneath Kempton’s vehicle.
The accident was not reported to authorities and it is alleged that Kempton did not render aid to the victim, but instead tried unsuccessfully to remove the suitcase from underneath her vehicle, before fleeing the scene with it still dragging underneath.
A passing motorist discovered Burack lying on the shoulder of West Montauk Highway and called 911. Burack was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
Southampton Town Detectives traced and recovered the vehicle allegedly involved in the crash to Kempton. The investigation also revealed that Kempton allegedly discarded the suitcase in a local dumpster along with its contents. Kempton was taken into custody that day. She faces 2⅓ to 7 years in prison if convicted.