Couple Admits Guilt In Fatal Hit-And-Run Cover-Up Attempt

KINGSTON, NY — An Ulster County husband and wife have been found guilty of charges connected to a fatal hit-and-run and a failed cover-up attempt.

On Tuesday, Lacy Maxwell, age 43, and Ryan Maxwell, age 43, both of Malden, pleaded guilty in connection with the fatal hit-and-run resulting in the death of 21-year-old Starllie Swonyoung, of Saugerties.

Lacy Maxwell pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death and the felony of insurance fraud. Her husband, Ryan Maxwell, pleaded guilty to insurance fraud in the fifth degree for trying to help her mislead the insurance company and covering up the actual cause of the damage to their car.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 15.

On January 10, Swonyoung and a friend had been walking on Route 9W just after 5 p.m. when Swonyoung was struck by a 2021 Subaru driven by Lacy Maxwell. Maxwell then fled the scene and did not stop to render care and aid or to report the incident. The next day, with the help of her husband, Ryan Maxwell, she staged an accident to account for the damage sustained to the car, and then submitted a claim to their insurance company.

A joint investigation was conducted with the Saugerties Police Department, the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and the Ulster County District Attorney's Office, with assistance from the Saugerties and Malden West Camp Fire Departments.

Police said tips from the community were instrumental in the investigation.