LEWIS - State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Haverstraw arrested Joseph Bohunicky, Jr., 34, of West Nyack, New York, for leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident last November, in Essex County. Bohunicky was indicted as a result of an intensive investigation by State Police – Lewis personnel and the Troop B Collision Reconstruction Unit.

On Sunday November 20, 2011, Thomas LaFountain and Mary Morrissey, both of Mechanicville, New York, were northbound on Interstate 87 en route to visit their sister in Au Sable Forks, New York. At approximately 7:20 a.m., in the town of Schroon, the car operated by LaFountain was struck in the rear by a car operated by Bohunicky, who fled the scene. Morrissey was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Several witnesses came forward after seeing media coverage about the collision. These accounts, as well as evidence obtained by the Collision Reconstruction Unit, led to the recovery of the suspect car in Rockland County and the identification of Bohunicky as a suspect driver.

After being returned to Troop B, Bohunicky was arraigned and was remanded to the Essex County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or a $10,000 bond. He is scheduled to reappear in Essex County Court on October 4.