Posted on: October 22, 2025 09:20 AM

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Virginia woman indicted in crash that killed pedestrian in Hampton Bays

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Amanda Kempton, 32, of Fairfax, Virginia, was indicted for Leaving the Scene of an Incident Resulting in Death, after she allegedly struck and killed pedestrian Sara Burack, 40, of Southampton, on West Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays in June.

“Leaving the scene of a fatal collision makes a tragic situation even worse,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Rather than rendering help to Ms. Burack, the defendant allegedly left her to die. This indictment is an important step towards justice for Sara and her loved ones.”According to the investigation, on June 19, 2025, at approximately 2:26 a.m., Kempton was allegedly driving a 2004 Toyota Highlander westbound on West Montauk Highway near Springville Road in Hampton Bays when she struck Burack, who was walking westbound along West Montauk Highway with a suitcase. At the time of the crash, Burack’s suitcase allegedly became lodged underneath Kempton’s vehicle.

Immediately after the crash, Kempton allegedly did not report the incident to law enforcement or render aid to Burack, but instead tried unsuccessfully to remove the suitcase from underneath her vehicle, before fleeing the scene with it still dragging underneath.

A passing motorist discovered Burack lying on the shoulder of West Montauk Highway and called 911 at 2:45 a.m. Burack was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital where she was later pronounced deceased.

On June 20, 2025, Southampton Town Detectives traced the vehicle allegedly involved in the crash to the owner, Kempton, who was located at an address in Manorville. Detectives recovered the defendant’s vehicle, which allegedly had front-end damage. The investigation also revealed that Kempton allegedly discarded the suitcase in a local dumpster along with its contents. Kempton was taken into custody that day.

On October 20, 2025, Kempton was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins, for one count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Resulting in Death, a Class D Felony.

From DA