SOUTHAMPTON MAN INDICTED FOR LEAVING THE SCENE OF A CRASH THAT KILLED PEDESTRIAN

SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Benjamin Sheen-Waltzer, 32, of Southampton, was indicted for Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting and Tampering with Physical Evidence for allegedly striking and killing Angel Asitimbay, 67, of Hampton Bays, with his truck when the victim was walking in a residential neighborhood. 

“The indictment handed down today reflects the gravity of this tragic and preventable loss of life,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Our streets and roadways are shared spaces where pedestrians have every right to feel safe. The defendant’s alleged actions show a complete disregard for human life and the basic principle that our roadways belong to everyone, drivers and pedestrians alike.”  

According to the investigation, on March 6, 2024, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Sheen-Waltzer allegedly struck Asitimbay with his 2024 GMC pickup truck. Until the impact, Asitimbay had been walking on a residential roadway pushing a shopping cart filled with glass bottles and cans. Sheen-Waltzer was traveling just south of Neptune Avenue on Springville Road when he allegedly struck Asitimbay from behind. 

Asitimbay was thrown forward, with his body finally coming to rest on the shoulder of the southbound lane. The crash also caused a large debris field of glass bottles and cans to be scattered along the road. Asitimbay was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center and pronounced deceased shortly after he arrived. After the crash, Sheen-Waltzer allegedly continued to flee and drive away from the scene. 

Among the debris collected at the scene was an “M” that was part of the GMC emblem that was discovered on the roadway. Video surveillance allegedly captured Sheen-Waltzer's pickup truck traveling on Springville Road with front end damage. Specifically, the vehicle was allegedly missing the “M” part of the GMC emblem. Southampton Police ultimately found the 2024 GMC pick-up truck at Sheen-Waltzer’s Southampton residence, with the entire “GMC” front emblem allegedly missing.  Police later located the “G” and “C” parts of the purported emblem at the defendant’s place of employment inside a different vehicle allegedly registered to Sheen-Waltzer. A search warrant on the GPS device of the 2024 GMC pickup truck revealed data consistent with the defendant’s alleged path of travel leading up to and following the deadly hit and run crash. 

On November 15, 2024, Sheen-Waltzer was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft, Jr., for Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting, a Class D felony and Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E felony.

Justice Senft ordered Sheen-Waltzer held on $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond or $250,000 partially secured bond and suspended Sheen-Waltzer’s driving privileges during the pendency of the case, Sheen-Waltzer is due back in court on December 18, 2024, and faces 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Robert Macedonio, Esq. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James McCormack of the Vehicular Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Julian Davila of the Southampton Town Police Department. 

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.
Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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