Following the tragic hit-and-run death of real estate agent and reality TV personality Sara Burack in Hampton Bays, New York, the driver's attorney has shared further details about the incident.
As previously reported, authorities has reported that the hit-and-run occurred around 2:45AM on Thursday, June 19.
Burack, 40, was found unconscious on Montauk Highway near Villa Paul Restaurant and transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Burack, a Southampton resident, appeared in the Netflix reality series Million Dollar Beach House and was known for her work as a luxury real estate broker with Nest Seekers International.
She had a significant presence in both The Hamptons and New York City markets, Greater Long Island reports.
Amanda Kempton, 32, appeared in court for the first time on Saturday, June 21, following her arrest the previous day.
She has been charged with a Class D felony for allegedly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in a fatality, but has pleaded not guilty, according to The New York Post.
During her arraignment, Kempton’s attorney told the court that she believed she had struck a traffic cone, not a person, and that alcohol was not considered a factor in the case.
Prosecutors, however, said Kempton had reportedly spent time at a tavern prior to the early morning incident, per PEOPLE.
Assistant District Attorney MacDonald Drane requested a higher bail, citing Kempton’s initial departure from the crash scene and travel plans to attend a wedding in Virginia the same day. The prosecution argued that these factors suggested a potential flight risk.
Kempton, a marine biologist, was visibly emotional during the proceedings, The Post reported. She was ultimately released on $100,000 bail, secured with collateral from her Long Island-based family.
If convicted, Kempton faces a maximum sentence of up to seven years in prison under New York state law.
In a 2020 interview with Hamptons.com, Burack shared that she came from a family involved in commercial construction materials and had spent over a decade living part-time in the area.
“It was only natural to turn my love for real estate into a blossoming career,” she said at the time.
Kempton is expected to return to court as the investigation continues.
Our thoughts continue to go out to Burack's loved ones at this time.