Driver in Fatal June Crash Turns Himself In

Brendan Hoffman, 19, turned himself into the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s office this morning. Hoffman got into a car crash in late June ejecting and killing 24-year-old Stephentown, NY resident Christopher Baker, according to recent reports. Hoffman fled the scene of the accident according to a witness, when he was picked up by an unknown friend. According to the Troy Record{:target="_blank"}, Hoffman is facing charges of felony vehicular manslaughter, reckless driving, speeding, failure to keep right, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

The accident happened on Cranston Road in the early morning of June 28, at around 12:50 a.m. According to a witness driving in the opposite direction, Hoffman nearly hit his car and then went into a ditch, apparently ejecting Baker. The witness allegedly spoke to Hoffman when he was getting out of the car which had rolled over in the ditch. Another car then arrived at the scene driven by an unidentified female. After getting out of his car, Hoffman got into the woman’s car and drove away from the scene. After arriving on the scene, the police searched for Hoffman until about 6:30 a.m. at which point they were informed that he was at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Mass.

Sheriff Jack Mahar stated he received a call from Hoffman’s father around 5:00 a.m. informing him that Baker had been in the car with him. Deputies searching for Hoffman and the car driven by the woman he left with initially had no idea that there had been another passenger in the car. After the call from Hoffman’s father, deputies and firefighters returned to the scene where they discovered Baker’s body 100 feet from the car at the bottom of a hill. Hoffman could face significant jail time if convicted.

Hit and run accidents are always extremely serious. When two drivers get in an accident, it is the responsibility of both to stay at the scene, exchange information, and make sure the other is safe. When one driver flees, it could be considered a display of gross negligence. If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit and run accident, you may be entitled to file a claim against the driver to seek compensation for any property damage, medical bills, or pain and suffering incurred. To see if you are eligible to file a claim, fill out the form on the right.