Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 37-year-old Stephanie R. Kollatz of Elma was arraigned last night before Elma Town Court Justice Dean S. Puleo on one count of Leaving the Scene of Incident Resulting in Death (Class “D” felony under New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law), one count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree and one count of Operation While Registration or Privilege is Suspended or Revoked (unclassified misdemeanor under New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law).
Kollatz was also charged with four New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law violations for operating a motor vehicle without insurance, operating an unregistered motor vehicle on a highway, operating a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver and operating a motor vehicle without an inspection certificate.
It is alleged that on Monday, January 8, 2024, at approximately 9:11 p.m., the defendant was driving a minivan northbound on Transit Road in the Town of Elma when she hit a pedestrian who was walking along the road between French Road and Clinton Street. The defendant is accused of leaving the scene without reporting the incident to police. She was allegedly operating the vehicle with a suspended registration and without a valid driver’s license, vehicle insurance or an inspection certificate at the time of the crash.
Another motorist, who saw the victim laying on the ground, reported the incident to police. The victim, an unidentified male, died at the scene.
Kollatz is scheduled to return on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. for a felony hearing. She was released on her own recognizance.
Acting DA Keane commends the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Unit for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher M. McCarthy of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with information on the identity of the victim or information on the crash is encouraged to contact the Erie County District Attorney’s Office at 716-858-2400.