24-Year-Old Arrested In Hit-And-Run That Killed Motorcycle Rider On NY 212: NYSP

SAUGERTIES, NY — An Ulster County man has been arrested on a felony charge after a motorcyclist died in a hit-and-run collision, police said.

The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Kingston said that 24-year-old Chase Godwin, of Wallkill, has now been charged with felony operator leaving the scene of an accident or injury resulting in death.

The investigation began on July 16, at 8:53 p.m., when troopers from State Police Kingston barracks responded to a motor vehicle collision on Route 212 in the Town of Saugerties.

Accident investigators say a 2004 Kawasaki motorcycle was traveling west on Route 212 in Saugerties and was attempting to make a left turn onto King's Highway while the traffic control device was displaying a green turn arrow. A 2013 Honda, traveling east on Route 212, continued through the intersection in violation of a traffic control device and struck the motorcycle.

The collision caused the motorcycle to spin multiple times and ejected the operator, identified as 51-year-old Scott E. Richter, of Mount Marion, onto the roadway. The driver of the 2013 Honda continued east without stopping and fled the scene into the Village of Saugerties.

Richter was taken to HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston with serious injuries. On July 24, Richter was pronounced dead, as a result of injuries he sustained during the collision, according to police.

NYSP investigators identified Godwin and the 2013 Honda as being involved in the collision. Godwin turned himself in at the State Police Kingston barracks on Friday.

Godwin was arraigned in Kingston City Court and released on his own recognizance. He is next scheduled to appear in Saugerties Town Court on Aug. 26.