SAUGERTIES – A 42-year-old woman from Malden has been arrested by Saugerties police who say she struck and killed a pedestrian on Route 9W in January, fled the scene and then attempted to defraud her insurance carrier. Lacey Maxwell was arrested on March 5, 2024, and was arraigned on Wednesday morning in Ulster County Court.
Maxwell is charged with the felonies of leaving the scene of a fatal accident, insurance fraud, staging a motor vehicle accident, and tampering with physical evidence.
Lacey’s husband, Ryan Maxwell, 43, was charged with the felonies of insurance fraud, staging a motor vehicle accident, and tampering with physical evidence for his role following the fatal accident.
After an extensive investigation, police determined that Lacey Maxwell was operating her 2021 Subaru south on Route 9W when she struck Starllie Swonyoung who was walking along the shoulder, then fled the scene. Police allege that on the following day, January 11, both Maxwells staged an accident with the Subaru to account for the damage sustained from striking Swonyoung.
Saugerties Police credit the Saugerties community, who provided a tremendous number of leads and video footage that helped assist with the investigation.
The Maxwells were charged after an indictment from the Ulster County Grand Jury and remanded to the Ulster County Jail before the March 6 arraignment.
