Long Island Man Who Admitted To Hit-And-Run Sentencing Adjourned: Lawyer

RIVERSIDE, NY — The sentencing of a Ronkonkoma man who pleaded guilty to being behind the wheel of an SUV that fatally struck a pedestrian in 2022 was adjourned on Thursday, his attorney said.

Wade Gagliano, 24, was drunk and high on marijuana when his Lexus RX 330 struck Adrienne Wagner, who was crossing the street, on Johnson Avenue in Ronkonkoma in August 2022, Suffolk prosecutors said.

Gagliano then left the scene in the Lexus without contacting law enforcement to report the crash or helping Wagner, according to prosecutors.

Wagner, 67, of Ronkonkoma died as a result of the injuries she sustained from the crash, prosecutors said.

Gagliano's case has been adjourned to Feb. 7, defense attorney Anthony LaPinta said.

Gagliano then drove to his home and told his family members what happened, prosecutors said, adding that after "a period of time," a 911 call was made by an individual at the home where Gagliano lived.

When police responded to Gagliano’s home, they saw his SUV had front-end damage, a cracked windshield, and was missing the driver’s side mirror, prosecutors said.

Gagliano was placed under arrest, and a sample of his blood was taken which revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .10 percent and the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol at a level indicating recent use, according to prosecutors.

He went home after the crash and told his family what happened, his family called the

police, and he was arrested, prosecutors said.

He pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, driving while intoxicated, and driving while ability impaired by drugs in November.

He faces two and third to seven years in prison.

District Attorney Ray Tierney's office has recommended Gagliano be sentenced to two to six years in prison.

In a previous statement, La Pinta of Hauppauge, told Patch there was "a unique set of facts involving the Wagner walking into the roadway, resulting in this accident."

"Mr. Gagliano has accepted responsibility for driving while intoxicated by drugs and alcohol and leaving the scene of a fatal accident; however, it is our position that his intoxication did not cause the accident," he said. "Having pleaded guilty to the indictment, we have presented significant mitigation to the court and will be requesting a non-jail sentence involving significant community service."