Woman Denies Killing Pedestrian

A Melville woman pleaded not guilty Thursday to several charges in connection with a fatal hit-and-run accident in Huntington Station last fall.

Nicole Grammerstorf is accused of striking Luis Dagoberto Flores Hernandez, 27, near the Thorney Avenue intersection in Huntington Station and dragging him nearly 500 feet before he was dislodged in front of the Whitman Motor Lodge at 295 East Jericho Tpke. The accident occurred at 10:36 p.m. Sept. 3 in front of the 7-Eleven store at 329 E Jericho Tpke.

The Honduran immigrant died two days later.

Also charged in the case is a mechanic, Mark Monserrat of North Babylon, who is accused of conspiracy and tampering with evidence. He also pleaded not guilty Thursday in First District Court in Central Islip.

Huntington attorney John LoTurco said Garmmerstorf  "professes her innocence" and that she had previously transferred the title of the car to another person and did not own the car when the accident happened. He also said she was with numerous relatives at the time of the accident. "We will vigorously and zealously defend Nicole of these charges and fully expect her to be exonerated," he said.

She is charged with conspiracy, tampering with evidence, hindering prosecution, leaving the scene of an accident, and endangering the welfare of a child, because her child was in the car when the accident occurred.

Police initially had little to go on in the accident; the victim could not initially be identified. In mid-September, police released a photo of the vehicle they suspected of involvement, saying it was most likely a 1998-2004 model Pathfinder, and was last seen traveling west on Jericho Turnpike.  The vehicle may have lower front-end damage that may extend to the hood and windshield.

Crime Stoppers also offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.