Alleged Bloods Gang Member Indicted In Fatal Hit-And-Run: DA

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — An alleged member of the Bloods street gang was indicted Thursday in connection with a fatal Southampton hit and run, Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini said.

Sini was joined by representatives from the New York State Police and Southampton Town Police Department to announce the indictment of Chace Quinn, 19, who was charged with leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle crash on County Road 39 in Southampton in April, police said.

“This is a very serious case; there is a family who will never have their loved one come home again,” Sini said. “The district attorney’s office, working in collaboration with the New York State Police and Southampton Town Police, will do everything in its power to hold this defendant accountable and bring justice to the victim’s family.”

On April 5, Quinn was allegedly driving east on County Road 39 in a 2013 Jeep Wrangler while intoxicated on alcohol and drugs; Quinn allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian then left the scene without reporting the crash to law enforcement, Sini said.

“There is no doubt that the defendant fled because he knew he was highly intoxicated, he knew that he was high on marijuana, he knew that he was wanted by the police, and he fled to evade detection,” Sini said. “He also continued to lie about the crash by telling people that the car was damaged because he hit a deer.”

At approximately 2:30 a.m., the Southampton Town Police Department received reports of a deceased male lying in the roadway on County Road 39, police said.

The victim was identified as Joseph Lynn McAlla, 63, of Clifford, PA; McAlla had just completed a delivery of stone to Southampton Masonry and was crossing the roadway when he was struck and killed, police said.

“The victim sustained a traumatic amputation, in that his leg was severed just below his knee and thrown approximately 70 feet from where his body lay,” Sini said. “The victim died on the roadway as a result of being struck. The defendant did not stop and did not slow down, but rather turned his headlights off and sped away to the Shinnecock Indian Reservation, which was a short distance away.”

An investigation into the fatal crash was launched by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Southampton Town Police Department, New York State Police, Suffolk County Police Department and U.S. Marshals.

“The defendant evaded police for approximately two months on the reservation,” Sini said. “At no time did he come forward with regard to the crash. Police had to use some innovative tactics to both build this case and apprehend this individual, and they did exactly that.”

Quinn was arrested by New York State Troopers on May 28 at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Sunrise Highway while allegedly attempting to flee to live with family members in Georgia, the DA said.

“The success of this investigation demonstrates the results of a strong working relationship between the New York State Police and our other law enforcement partners,” said New York State Police Troop L Captain Jose Febo.

“This horrific incident is a reminder of how serious reckless vehicular operation can be and underscores the serious consequences of reckless driving. The Southampton Town Police Department is appreciative of its law enforcement partners and all the assistance rendered throughout the investigation by the New York State Police and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office who assisted in bringing this investigation to the prosecution stage,” said Southampton Town Police Chief Steven Skrynecki.

Quinn was indicted on four counts of aggravated vehicular homicide; second degree manslaughter; four counts of first degree vehicular manslaughter; leaving the scene of a fatal accident; tampering with physical evidence; two counts of first degree intimidating a victim or witness; driving while intoxicated; driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs and alcohol; first degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle; third degree unauthorized use of a vehicle; and circumvention of an interlock device, Sini said.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 to 36 years in prison.

He was arraigned on the indictment on Thursday in front of Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho and was remanded without bail, Sini said.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Maggie Bopp and Jacob Delauter, of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.

Patch courtesy photo.