Crime & Safety
Woman Pleads Not Guilty to Hit-and-Run Crash that Killed Bicyclist
Janice Montalvo, of Centereach, told police she knew she hit Port Jefferson Station man.
A Centereach woman accused of fatally striking a Port Jefferson Station bicyclist on July 11 has plead not guilty to all charges.
Janice Montalvo, 54, pled not guilty to leaving the scene of an accident involving a fatality, a felony, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, in Central Islip District Court on Saturday, News12 reports.
Police said Bradford Packer, 51, of Port Jefferson Station, was riding his bicycle north on Route 112 when Montalvo hit him and fled the scene traveling west on Route 347.
Police were searching for a light-colored Hyundai sedan, and arrested Montalvo — who owns a gold Sonata — on Friday at around 10 a.m.
After her arrest, Montalvo allegedly told police she knew she hit the bicyclist but fled because she panicked.
Online court records show Montalvo has two previous convictions for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, for which she paid fines of $250.
She is currently being held on $100,000 bail or $200,000 bond. Her next court date on July 17.
Read more on News12 about Montalvo's charges after the fatal accident.
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