Couple faces wrongful death suit over fatal hit-and-run
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the Malden couple charged in connection with the Jan.10 hit-and-run crash that killed 21-year-old Starllie Swonyoung of Saugerties.
In early March, the couple — Lacy L. Maxwell, 42, and Ryan Maxwell, 43 — pleaded not guilty to charges while being arraigned during separate proceedings before Ulster County Judge Bryan Rounds.
The wrongful death lawsuit, which also accuses the couple of gross negligence, was filed in state Supreme Court in Ulster County and seeks punitive damages.
The suit said that the couple’s conduct “was so egregious, careless, and reckless it demonstrates a complete and total disregard for the safety and well-being of the community giving rise to Plaintiff’s claim for Punitive Damages to punish Defendants for their actions.”
The lawsuit was filed by Attorney Alexander E. Mainetti of the Kingston-based law firm Mainetti & Mainetti, on behalf of the victim’s mother, Emmallyea Swonyoung, on Wednesday, April 17.
Lacy Maxwell was indicted by an Ulster County grand jury with leaving the scene of a fatal accident for the crash on U.S. Route 9W in Saugerties that caused Starllie Swonyoung’s death.
Both she and her husband were charged with insurance fraud, staging a motor vehicle accident and tampering with physical evidence for trying to cover up the fatal crash.
Lacy Maxwell was sent to Ulster County Jail on $100,000 bail. Ryan Maxwell was released on his own recognizance.
Lacy Maxwell was allegedly driving her 2021 Subaru south on U.S. Route 9W in Saugerties, at about 5:09 p.m. when she struck Swonyoung from behind while she was walking with a friend along the shoulder of U.S. Route 9W between the village of Saugerties and the hamlet of Malden. Lacy Maxwell then fled the scene, authorities said.
Both Lacy Maxwell and Ryan Maxwell are scheduled to return to court in the criminal trial on May 28.