Carmel Man Killed in Hit-and-Run Collision in Mahopac
A 61-year-old Carmel man was killed in a hit-and-run collision Friday night on South Lake Boulevard (Route 6N) near Hilltop Street in Mahopac.
According to the Carmel Police Department, a preliminary investigation revealed James Crecco was approaching his parked vehicle on the north side of South Lake Boulevard at about 8:05 p.m. when he and his vehicle were struck by a gray Jeep Cherokee with gold colored New York license plates, traveling west.
The Jeep did not stop after the collision and continued west towards Baldwin Place Road. The Jeep sustained damage to the passenger side as a result of the crash.
Crecco, who was leaving his brother’s boat house to go to karaoke, was discovered on the side of the road with serious injuries and was transported in traumatic arrest by the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department EMS Ambulance to Westchester Medical Center, where he later died.
On Saturday, the Putnam Sheriff’s Department arrested Maggie Deperna, 37, of Mahopac, charging her with vehicular manslaughter in the second degree and leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, both felonies, along with two misdemeanor counts of driving while intoxicated.
Deperna was sent to the Putnam County Correctional Facility on bail of $100,000 cash or bond.
More than $22,000 has been raised to date on a GoFundMe page set up by Amanda Crecco.
“Yesterday we were reminded how quickly life can be taken from us. How every conversation, hug, text or photo could be your last one. Treasure those you love as they may not be here later,” she posted. “Our hearts are broken.”
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/
