Sean Ludwick Makes Third Court Appearance Following Fatal Crash

Sean Ludwick, a New York City real estate developer who was arrested on a DWI charge after he crashed his car into a telephone pole in Sag Harbor killing his passenger this past summer, appeared at Southampton Town Justice Court for the third time on Thursday.

On August 30, Ludwick, 42, was driving on Rolling Hill Court East at about 2 a.m. when he lost control of the car and struck the pole, killing the sole passenger in the car, 53-year-old Douglas Elliman real estate agent Paul Hansen, of Sag Harbor, who was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

He was arraigned in Southampton Town Justice Court on August 31 and was released after paying the $1 million bond.

On Thursday, Ludwick appeared with his new attorney, Benjamin Brafman, who has represented several celebrities, including Sean ‘P-Diddy’ Combs and Michael Jackson, before Justice Deborah Kooperstein who ”scolded” the duo for not appearing on Ludwick’s orignial court date on Monday, according to 27east.

“If it happens again, I would issue you a warrant,” she said according to 27east. “That’s how I run things.”

Brafman then waived Ludwick’s constitutional right to a speedy trial stating that he believed the lab reports were not ready after speaking to John Scott Prudenti, head of the Suffolk County vehicular crime unit, according to The East Hampton Star.

He asked Justice Kooperstein that the adjournment take place on November 24, according to 27east.

However, Ludwick might possibly make another court appearance at the State Supreme Court in Riverside to be arraigned for a felony charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident, according to The East Hampton Star.

Other felony charges he might face include: assault with a deadly weapon (a car) and vehicular manslaughter.

Hansen’s family; including his siblings, Bob Hansen and Susan Morrissey, his brother-in-law, Tom Morrissey, and his wife, Catherine Guyer-Hansen as well as his childhood friend and family attorney, Edward Burke Jr., were all in court on Thursday, according to 27east.

“We are obviously very much aware of the tragic consequences of this accident,” Brafman said according to 27east. “We intend to address the issues responsibly, and on behalf of Mr. Ludwick, we extend sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Hansen.”