Jennifer Serrano, 48, of Irving, NY, was arraigned in Genesee County Court on Wednesday afternoon in front of Judge Charles Zambito after being indicted by a Genesee County Grand Jury in a four count indictment handed up September 4, 2018.
Serrano appeared with her new attorney Frank LoTempio and pleaded not guilty.
Serrano is accused of the crime of vehicular manslaughter 2nd, a class D felony, in count one of the indictment.
On or about August 11, 2018, on Sumner road in the Town of Darien, Serrano allegedly caused the death of Connor A. Lynskey, 18, of Hinckly, NY, as she was operating a 2014 Jeep while allegedly being intoxicated or impaired by the use of a drug or the combined influence of drugs or of alcohol and was operating her motor vehicle in a manner that caused the death of Lynskey.
In count two, Serrano is accused of leaving the scene of the incident without reporting it, a class D felony.
Serrano allegedly failed to stop, exhibit her license and insurance identification card, failed to give her name, residence, including street and street number to the injured party, if practical, and also to a police officer, or in the event no police officer was in the vicinity of the scene, then she failed to report the incident as soon as physically able to the nearest police station or judicial officer.
In count three, Serrano is accused of DWI, as a misdemeanor, as she was operating her Jeep on Sumner road and Rt. 77 on August 11, 2018 in an intoxicated condition.
In count 4, the indictment further accuses Serrano of the crime of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 2nd, a misdemeanor, in that on or about August 11, 2018, on Rt. 77 and the NYS Thruway in the Town of Pembroke, while knowing or having reason to know her license to operate such motor vehicle in the State of NY was suspended or revoked and the suspension or revocation was based upon her refusal to submit to a chemical test.
After her arraignment, LoTempio requested that Serrano’s bail be lowered as he says she is not a flight risk as previously portrayed at the last bail hearing held at the end of August with a public defender.
Lotempio argued that Serrano has lived in WNY for 25 years and owns her home in Irving. She has a job and has clients through her company Jenny Marketing group where she earns $20-$25,000 a year.
He says she recently was divorced a year ago has had some depression issues. She has joint custody of her children, who are 21, 17, and 12. They go to Amherst schools and she’s involved with her kid’s lives and is a good mother. He believes she has no mental health issues.
She has no previous record.
LoTempio says that even though Genesee Justice evaluated her a 7, we are asking for a reasonable bail., $25,000 to $40,000.
District Attorney Larry Friedman says that bail was already argued last month with a public defender.
“She claims to own her home, but has been living in Amherst, she says she has kids , but they are estranged from her. She is not supporting her children. She is flight risk after leaving the scene and then not telling anyone she hit someone. She already fled, now she is indicted, facing 4 2/3 to 14 years, therefore we ask the court to maintain the previous conviction,” says Friedman.
Judge Zambito responded, “The facts are she left the scene and then went home, she did not turn herself in.
I don’t think bail is unreasonable, bail will stay at $100,000 cash and $200,000 bond.”
Serrano’s sister was also in court today and tried to console Connor Lynskey’s mother, who was crying through most of the session. After the arraignment, the two briefly exchanged conversation in court.
Serrano will appear in court next on November 15, 2018 at 1:30 for Oral Arguments.