Bellport woman pleads guilty in hit-and-run crash that killed firefighter E. Patchogue

A Bellport woman pleaded guilty in a hit-and-run crash that killed a young East Patchogue volunteer firefighter in June, Suffolk County Prosecutor Raymond Tierney said Thursday.

Maria Guallpa-Bonilla, 36, of Bellport, faces a prison sentence of 2 1/3 to 7 years after pleading guilty in court Wednesday to leaving the scene of an incident without appearing, a class D felony .

Driving alone with only a learner’s permit in a 2001 Mercury Cougar, Guallpa-Bonilla struck a motorcycle driven by Christopher Hlavaty, 22, in Patchogue, then ran over his body as he fled the scene of the accident on June 10, authorities said.

Hlavaty, a volunteer firefighter with the Hagerman Fire Department, had the right of way in the crash, authorities said, noting that Guallpa-Bonilla was headed east on East Main Street and turned south on Rider Avenue toward 10:47 p.m. when she struck Hlavaty. Suzuki motorcycle 2008.

Hlavaty, who graduated from Sayville High School in 2019 and played varsity football, later died from injuries he suffered in the incident. Car parts found at the crash site were quickly matched to a 2001 Mercury Cougar.

Tierney called Guallpa-Bonilla’s actions “insensitive and unacceptable.” His office recommended a sentence of 2 to 6 years in prison. Under current New York State law, Guallpa-Bonilla faces a maximum sentence of 2 1/3 to 7 years for the charge to which she pleaded guilty.

“MS. Guallpa-Bonilla was more concerned about the consequences she would face than helping Christopher Hlavaty,” he said. “Motorcyclists have the right to ride on the streets of Suffolk County without having to fear being struck by a vehicle and dying. We hope this plea will bring some justice to Mr. Hlavaty’s family and loved ones.”

Guallpa-Bonilla is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 4 before Suffolk Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei.

_{Top photo: Christopher Hlavaty (Robertaccio Funeral Home)}