Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Steven Syrop, 52, of Holtsville, was indicted for Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, which resulted in the death of 42-year-old Jennifer Bianco, of Bay Shore, in May 2023.
“This defendant was allegedly more concerned about the consequences that he would face, rather than rendering aid to Jennifer Bianco,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Our state legislators must act now to close the loophole in New York State regarding hit-and-run cases. The current law inadvertently encourages drivers who may be under the influence to flee the scene of an accident rather than stay. This not only endangers the lives of the victims, but also destroys potential critical evidence. The penalties for serious and deadly hit-and-runs must be amended to be the same as the penalties for vehicular assault and vehicular manslaughter.”
According to the investigation, on May 21, 2023, at approximately 12:00 a.m., Syrop was driving a blue 2020 Chevy Silverado southbound on North Ocean Avenue in Holtsville when he allegedly struck Bianco, who was walking on the shoulder of the roadway. Syrop then left the scene without stopping or rendering aid to Bianco and failed to report the collision to law enforcement. Bianco died at the scene as a result of the injuries she sustained from the crash.
Car parts found by law enforcement along the shoulder of the road where the collision occurred matched the damage to the defendant’s car, which was found parked at his home the day after the incident.
On November 8, 2023, Syrop was arraigned on the indictment before County Court Judge, the Honorable Karen M. Wilutis, for Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a Class D felony. Judge Wilutis ordered Syrop to be held on $10,000 cash, $20,000 bond, or $100,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case, and suspended Syrop’s New York State driver’s license.
Syrop is due back in court on December 7, 2023, and is being represented by Edward Palermo, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Raymond Varuolo of the Vehicular Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Michael Stella of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Major Case Unit.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.