Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Valley Stream driver was arraigned yesterday on a charge of Criminally Negligent Homicide for allegedly striking and killing teenager Gerrin Hagen, who was skateboarding on Cantiague Lane in Westbury in January.
Mactyme Michel, 19, was arraigned yesterday before Judge Christopher Hoefenkrieg on one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide (an E felony). The defendant pleaded not guilty and was released to pretrial services. He is due back in court on August 21, 2023. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 1-1/3 to 4 years in prison.
“Gerrin Hagen’s life was tragically cut short when this defendant allegedly ran through a stop sign and struck the young man, who was riding on a skateboard,” DA Donnelly said. “Hagen was a talented ice hockey and lacrosse player who was beloved by the entire Long Beach community. We continue to mourn with his family members, friends, and classmates as we prosecute this case.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, on January 12, 2023, at approximately 2:25 p.m. the defendant was driving a 2012 Honda Pilot northwest on Cantiague Lane near Sunnyside Lane when he allegedly drove around a vehicle driving in front of him and continued driving without stopping at the intersection’s stop sign.
The defendant, while still on the left side of the road, then allegedly struck 18-year-old Gerrin Hagen from behind as Hagen was riding his skateboard from a Nassau BOCES location to his car.
The victim was transported to Nassau University Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries on January 13, 2023.
Michel surrendered to the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad on July 10, 2023.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Tara DePalo and Brianna Ryan of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau. Michel is represented by Anthony Grandinette, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.