Man Sentenced In Hit-and-Run Crash That Killed LI Couple: DA

MASTIC BEACH, NY — A Mastic Beach man drew a three- to nine-year prison sentence for a 2018 hit-and-run crash that left a husband and wife dead, Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini said.

Patrick Poillon, 26, pleaded guilty on Oct. 9 to two counts of second-degree manslaughter, a felony, and leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death, also a felony, Sini said.

He was sentenced by Suffolk County Acting Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho, Sini said.

At 10:11 p.m. on Dec. 22, 2018, Poillon was driving a 2006 Ford Explorer southbound on Huguenot Drive in Mastic Beach when he drove through a stop sign and struck a 2004 Subaru Legacy traveling eastbound on Forest Road West, Sini said. Poillon ran off, leaving the Explorer and a passenger at the scene, Sini said.

The two passengers in the Subaru, William Molnar, 50, and Jean Molnar, 41, were pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, Sini said.

A then-22-year-old male passenger in the front seat of the Explorer was taken by helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment, Sini said.

Poillon was arrested at a relative’s residence in Mastic Beach at 3:37 a.m. on Dec. 23, 2018, Sini said.

Poillon was driving about 68 mph at the time of the crash, which occurred in a 30-mph speed zone, Sini said.

“This was a senseless tragedy that occurred because of the defendant’s reckless behavior and clear disregard for the safety of others,” Sini said. “After speeding through a residential neighborhood and striking the Molnars’ vehicle, he tried to avoid the consequences of his actions by fleeing the scene, but today’s prison sentence holds him responsible for the pain and devastation he caused this family.”

According to a Newsday report, Poillon apologized in court: "I am so very, truly sorry for the pain my actions caused that night ... I am ready to accept my sentence, better myself and turn my life around," he said.

Camacho reportedly called Poillon "a menace to the community," the Newsday post said.

Family members of the couple killed were present for the emotional day in court, the Newsday post said, including Christina Fudenski, Jean Molnar's mother, who said: "Jean and Billy were loved by everyone. And they had a love for each other like no other love."