A Virginia woman charged in the hit-and-run death of Hamptons real estate agent Sara Burack allegedly stopped her car after the collision, but only to try and dislodge the victim's suitcase from underneath her vehicle before driving away, a prosecutor revealed in court Monday.
Amanda Kempton, 32, pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of leaving the scene of a fatal crash. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of June 19, resulted in the death of Burack, who was known for her work in high-end real estate and an appearance on a Netflix series.
Key Takeaways
- Amanda Kempton, 32, is accused of fatally striking real estate agent Sara Burack in Hampton Bays.
- Prosecutors allege Kempton stopped to remove Burack's suitcase from under her car before fleeing.
- The defense claims Kempton thought she hit a construction barrel in foggy conditions with zero visibility.
- Burack was a prominent agent featured on Netflix's "Million Dollar Beach House."
- Kempton remains free on a $200,000 bond with a court-ordered curfew.
New Details Emerge in Court
During Kempton's arraignment in Suffolk County court, new and disturbing details about the moments following the crash were presented. Assistant District Attorney Macdonald Drane told the court that after striking Sara Burack, who was walking along Montauk Highway with a suitcase, Kempton briefly stopped her vehicle.
According to Drane, Kempton backed up her car in an attempt to free the luggage that had become stuck underneath. After dislodging it, she allegedly continued driving from the scene.
"She never reported the crash to law enforcement and was only found later on when [her] vehicle was located at a family member's house," Drane stated in court.
Investigators found the vehicle with front-end damage that prosecutors say is consistent with video evidence of the collision. The crash was reported by a 911 caller who found an injured woman on the road around 2:45 a.m. on June 19.
A Different Version of Events
Kempton's defense attorney, William Keahon, offered a starkly different account of the incident. He argued that his client believed she had struck a traffic construction barrel, not a person, due to extremely poor weather conditions.
"There was zero visibility weather that day at that incident location and that time," Keahon said, blaming heavy fog for the collision. He claimed Kempton did not stop at the scene of the impact but rather pulled over after turning off the main road when she realized something was under her car.
Contesting the Evidence
The defense is challenging the video evidence presented by the prosecution. Keahon suggested he is investigating whether the camera that recorded the incident has technology capable of reducing the appearance of fog, which would not accurately reflect the conditions Kempton faced.
Keahon maintained his client was not speeding and was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He also noted that the roadway was unlit and claimed police had previously advised Burack against walking there for her safety.
Remembering Sara Burack
Sara Burack was a well-known figure in the Hamptons community. As a real estate agent for Nest Seekers International, she specialized in luxury properties in the Hamptons and New York City. Her career gained national attention when she was featured in the Netflix series "Million Dollar Beach House," which followed the lives of agents in the competitive Hamptons market.
Emergency services transported Burack to Stony Brook University Hospital following the crash, where she died from her injuries. Members of her family were present at the arraignment on Monday but declined to speak with reporters.
Crash Timeline
- Approx. 2:26 a.m.: The collision occurs on Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays.
- Approx. 2:45 a.m.: A 911 caller reports an injured woman in the road.
- June 19: Sara Burack is pronounced dead at the hospital.
- October 20: Amanda Kempton is arraigned on a grand jury indictment.
The Accused and Next Steps
Amanda Kempton, who attended George Mason University and has a background in marine biology, told the judge she is not currently employed. Her attorney said she was in Suffolk County performing volunteer work in her field around the time of the incident.
Justice John Collins ordered that Kempton remain free on a previously posted $200,000 bond. However, he imposed a 9 p.m. curfew as a condition of her release. Kempton is currently residing with a family member in Suffolk County while her case proceeds.
She did not offer a comment as she left the courthouse with her father. Kempton is scheduled to return to court on November 20. The case continues to draw significant attention due to the tragic circumstances and the victim's public profile.
