DA: Motorcyclist pleads guilty in fatal crash
Matthew J. Byank of Manorville, is escorted into East Hampton Town Justice Court. (May 25, 2010) Credit: Gordon M. Grant
A Manorville man has pleaded guilty to killing his pregnant fiancee when he lost control of his motorcycle while fleeing police at high speed, prosecutors said Thursday.
Matthew Byank, 21, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree manslaughter and other charges. In return for his plea, state Supreme Court Justice C. Randall Hinrichs promised to sentence him to no more than 3 to 9 years in prison, and possibly less, prosecutors said.
The Suffolk district attorney's office had sought a sentence of 4 to 12 years and was prepared to go to trial, said spokesman Robert Clifford.
Lauren Parris, 19, of Mastic Beach, died nearly two years ago when she was thrown from Byank's motorcycle when he hit a utility pole in Amagansett. Prosecutors said Byank was fleeing an East Hampton Town police officer at speeds of up to 150 mph when he lost control of his 2006 Suzuki, which was ripped in half by the collision.
Byank, who suffered a broken collarbone in the May 24, 2010, crash, had a suspended driver's license and had only a motorcycle permit, which did not allow him to have passengers.
Hinrichs will sentence Byank on July 18. He remains free on bail of $125,000 cash.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
