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Driver held after SUV hits runners, killing one
Victim taught in Deer Park, ran in Cow Harbor
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| | | By Patricia Proven | | |
November 13, 2008 | 12:13 PM
The Brookville man charged in the Huntington crash that killed a runner and injured her training partner last Thursday, Nov. 6, has pleaded not guilty to a DUI charge and was being held on $1 million bond this week.
"We are currently investigating the fact that he may have been taking other drugs also," Detective Sergeant Bruce Markgraf said Friday, noting that the district attorney is considering other charges against Shea Rosen, 19, who was arraigned Nov. 7 and due back in court Nov. 12.
A spokeswoman said the district attorney plans on presenting any developments in the case to a grand jury.
Huntington residents Amanda Malloy, 29, and Vincent Saunders, 32, left New York Sports Club at 6:50 pm and went on a six-mile jog, police report. The pair was jogging south on Route 110 north of Prime Avenue in Huntington at 7:25 pm when a 2000 Dodge Durango driven by Rosen struck them from behind.
The victims were rushed to Huntington Hospital, where Malloy was pronounced dead. Saunders was last reported at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City in serious but stable condition.
"This is obviously a tragedy for all involved," Joe Conway, a lawyer for the defendant, said. "Our hearts go out for the young woman who passed away." He added, "We're still gathering all the facts of what happened ... and until we do, I am unable to comment further."
Rosen was arrested and charged with first-degree driving while impaired by drugs, a misdemeanor. He indicated to police that he was picking up his paycheck from Prime Restaurant, where he works as a busboy, and heading back to Nassau County that night, Markgraf reported. Rosen refused a breath test, according to police, who say they obtained a search warrant to have a physician assistant test his blood.
"At the scene it was determined that he smelled of marijuana and he was unsteady on his feet," Markgraf said. "The driver of the car also indicated to us that he never saw the two joggers."
The sergeant said he does not know whether the pair was wearing light-colored clothing or donned reflective gear that night. The officer on the scene did not immediately return a call for comment.
Bill Fleming, a runner who directs the Doug Wood Race in Northport, noted the hazards of sharing the roads with drivers who are reckless, under the influence or simply not paying attention, often because they're using cell phones. "It's terrifying. ... You have to be a defensive runner," he said, advising that people pay attention, avoid wearing headgear, run in the direction of traffic as opposed to against it and stay on the side of the road.
Malloy, a second-degree black belt instructor at U.S. Karate Academy, was also an avid triathlon and marathon participant. She ranked 28th in the women's age 25 to 29 category of the 31st Cow Harbor Race in Northport this past September.
She also worked as a fourth-grade teacher at John F. Kennedy Intermediate School in Deer Park for the past seven years.
A statement on Deer Park schools website said, "Amanda was an outstanding teacher who often worked after school for the benefit of her students. As an expert in the martial arts, she took pride in sharing her knowledge with students through well-received assemblies. Amanda was loved and admired by her colleagues and students alike, and highly respected by administration."
Mental health professionals in the schools have been working with her students and visiting all JFK classrooms "to help the children and staff through this difficult time," the district stated.
Malloy is survived by parents Patrick and Barbara; sisters Rebecca and Cassie, and a large extended family, according to a published obituary. This paper was unable to reach the victims' families.
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