DA: Retired NYPD Cop from Syosset Sentenced in Crash That Killed Teen

A retired NYPD officer from Syosset indicted in a hit-and-run pedestrian crash that killed a 13-year-old girl in Levittown was sentenced to prison on Tuesday, authorities said.

Michael Elardo, 48, of Syosset, was sentenced to 1-1/3 to 4 years in prison for the crash that killed Bryanna Soplin, the Nassau DA’s office said.

Tuesday’s sentencing coincided with a push by Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice to reform state law to increase penalties in hit-and-run cases.

In sentencing Elardo, Nassau County Court Judge Jerald Carter referred to Bryanna Soplin as an “angel” watching her over her family, according to the DA’s office.

Elardo pleaded guilty in August to the sole charge of leaving the scene of a fatal incident without reporting. Originally, Elardo’s lawyer said his client believed he had struck a construction barrel. But later in court In court, Elardo admitted knowing that he struck a person when he left the scene, the DA’s office said.

There had been preliminary speculation that Elardo had been drinking prior to the accident. And though he was not charged with driving while intoxicated, Judge Carter said Tuesday, “There’s always going to be that question as to what your sobriety was” and why Elardo left the scene the scene of the crash, Newsday reported.

Prosecutors had recommended the maximum sentence for this felony, 2-1/3 to 7 years in prison. On Tuesday, Rice renewed her call for legislation to upgrade the crime to carry a maximum sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison.

“It’s not enough for drivers to apologize after leaving the scene – the law needs to change to discourage drivers from fleeing in the first place,” she said. “A driver who flees the scene of a collision should not benefit from that flight. Right now a driver may face lower charges because he has prevented a full investigation and I support Bryanna’s family’s call to increase these penalties.”

Elardo had driven a minivan on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown on June 15 just after midnight and struck and killed Bryanna Soplin as she crossed the street. Elardo then left the scene without stopping. Elardo surrendered for arrest by the Nassau County Police Department approximately 42 hours later, on June 16, the DA’s office said.

“I pray every day for Bryanna and her family,” Elardo said in court Tuesday, according to Newsday. “I accept full responsibility for my actions.”

Soplin reportedly had Down’s Syndrome and was trying to visit her grandfather when she was hit by the car.

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DA: Retired NYPD Cop Indicted in Girl’s Hit-and-Run Death