Virginia Woman Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal Hit-and-Run
By [Your Name] | [Date]
So, Here’s What Happened
You could hear a pin drop in the courtroom when Amanda Kempton—this 32-year-old marine biologist from Virginia—burst into tears while pleading not guilty. The charges? A hit-and-run that killed Sara Burack, a big-name real estate agent in the Hamptons. Honestly, it was one of those moments that just sticks with you. Her family somehow scraped together $100k bail using their property as collateral, but man, the tension in that room was thick enough to cut with a knife.
The Crash: Piecing Together a Tragedy
That Night
Late on [date], Sara was walking near [location] when a car plowed into her. And then—this is the part that gets me—the driver just took off. No stopping, no calling 911. Nothing. Police found pieces of a broken headlight at the scene, and guess what? They traced it back to Kempton’s car.
What the Cops Say
Now here’s where it gets messy. Prosecutors claim they’ve got surveillance video putting Kempton’s car right there when it happened. “This wasn’t just an accident—it was reckless disregard for human life,” said ADA MacDonald Drane in court. Strong words, but then again, a woman died.
Inside the Courtroom: Tears, Tension, and Property on the Line
Amanda’s Breakdown
Look, I’ve seen plenty of court hearings, but this one? Different. Kempton was shaking like a leaf, tissues crumpled in her fists. Her family sat behind her looking like they’d been punched in the gut. You could tell they didn’t see this coming.
Bail Battle
The prosecutor wasn’t playing around—he pushed for high bail, arguing she might bolt. “With these charges and her means, she’s a flight risk,” Drane insisted. But her lawyer fired back hard: “She’s lived in Manorville her whole life! No record, not even a parking ticket!” In the end, the judge split the difference—bail granted, but she had to hand over her passport.
Who Is Amanda Kempton, Really?
Here’s the thing that’s got everyone scratching their heads. By all accounts, she was the last person you’d expect in this situation—a marine biologist who colleagues called “the kind of person who’d stop traffic to help a turtle cross the road.” Makes you wonder what the hell happened that night.
Remembering Sara Burack
Sara wasn’t just some victim in a news story. She was that friend who remembered your kid’s birthday, the agent who actually listened when you said you wanted “a place with good light.” The whole Hamptons real estate scene is wrecked over this. They’re holding a vigil Saturday—expect a big crowd.
What Comes Next?
Next court date’s [date]. If convicted? She’s looking at 15 years. But here’s the kicker—prosecutors have to prove she knew she hit someone. That’s gonna be tough without a smoking gun.
Everyone’s Got an Opinion
Turn on the news and it’s wall-to-wall coverage. The New York Post is loving the “scientist-gone-bad” angle. Online? Total warzone. Half the comments are “lock her up forever,” the other half are “wait for the facts.” Classic internet.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, a woman’s dead, another’s life is in shambles, and no amount of courtroom drama changes that. Makes you think—how many seconds does it take to stop your car that could’ve saved a life?
If You Need Help
- Southampton PD’s official statement (it’s dry, but has the facts)
- Victim Support Hotline: 1-800-XXX-XXXX (because this stuff weighs on people)
Source: NY Post – US News
