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Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr. announced on Monday that 25-year-old Rye resident Emma Fox has been indicted for her role in the fatal crash that took the life of Fishkill resident Robby Schartner, who graduated from Brookfield, Conn., High School and formerly lived in Putnam County, in Garrison.
Shortly before 5 a.m. on Oct. 9 last year, Fox was driving her Nissan Sentra on Westchester Avenue in White Plains when she struck and killed Schartner, who was running back to his dorm from downtown White Plains.
Scarpino said that after striking him, Fox drove approximately a half mile before stopping her car in the shoulder near Meadowbrook Road. A passing motorist noticed damage to Fox’s windshield and proceeded to call 911.
Responding police officers found Schartner unconscious on Westchester Avenue near the entrance to I-287, with severe trauma to the back of his head, Scarpino said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
White Plains police officers proceeded to speak with Fox, who said they detected an odor of alcohol on her breath. She proceeded to fail multiple Standardized Field Sobriety tests and was arrested. Fox was taken to White Plains Hospital, where tests revealed that her blood alcohol content was above .08 percent.
A later autopsy by the Westchester County Medical Examiner determined that the cause of Schartner’s death was blunt force trauma of the body with fractures of skull and ribs, lacerations of brain, lungs, liver and internal hemorrhages.
Fox has been arraigned on an indictment that charges her with one felony count of second-degree vehicular manslaughter, two counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving, misdemeanors. She is also charged with driving in excess of maximum speed limit, a violation.
In a statement following his death, Manhattanville College President Michael Geisler praised Schartner's heart and dedication to his lacrosse team.
"In his three years as a men's lacrosse player, Robert earned his spot on the team the hard way. It was not easy for him, but the sacrifices he made inspired the team and epitomized what it means to be a scholar-athlete at Manhattanville," the statement said.
"The level of Robert's commitment to his team could never come into question; whatever he was asked to do, he did with a smile on his face. That was his understanding of what it means to be a true teammate. He loved the sport of lacrosse, he loved his teammates and he loved being a Manhattanville lacrosse player. … We are all in shock and we extend our prayers and condolences to his family members and friends."
Fox has pleaded not guilty to the charges. She remains out on bail. She is due back in court next month, where she will face a term of between two to seven years in state prison.
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