Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 37-year-old Stephanie R. Kollatz of Elma pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to one count of Leaving the Scene of Incident Resulting in Death (Class “D” felony). She pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.
On Monday, January 8, 2024, at approximately 9:11 p.m., the defendant was driving a minivan northbound on Transit Road in the Town of Elma when she hit a pedestrian who was walking along the road between French Road and Clinton Street. The defendant drove away from the scene without reporting the incident to police. Another motorist, who saw the victim laying on the ground, reported the incident to police. The victim, an unidentified male, died at the scene.
The investigation determined that the defendant was operating the vehicle with a suspended registration and without a valid driver’s license, vehicle insurance or an inspection certificate at the time of the crash.
Kollatz faces a maximum of 7 years in prison when she is sentenced on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. She remains released on her own recognizance.
Acting DA Keane commends the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Unit for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher M. McCarthy of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.
Anyone with information on the identity of the victim is encouraged to contact the Erie County District Attorney’s Office at 716-858-2400.
