Virginia Woman Arrested in Fatal Hit-and-Run Incident

A woman from Virginia, identified as marine biologist Amanda Kempton, was arrested in connection with the fatal hit-and-run incident involving Hamptons real estate agent Sara Black. Kempton reportedly thought she had struck a traffic cone, according to her lawyer, during her court appearance on Saturday morning.

Kempton, who is 32, pleaded not guilty and was released on a $100,000 bail, arranged by a family living in Manorville. This information was shared during a session in Southampton Town Court.

Emotional during the hearing, Kempton’s lawyer, William Keho, mentioned that she was a flight risk, especially since she was scheduled to return to Virginia for her wedding on Saturday. Prosecutor McDonald Drain argued for high bail, highlighting these concerns.

Kempton now faces a felony charge for leaving the scene of a fatal accident, which could lead to four years in prison.

Sarah Barak, age 40, was walking along the roadside, dragging a large pink suitcase when she was struck on Montauk Highway. Earlier on the day of the incident, it’s reported that Kempton spent time at a local tavern, but authorities indicated that alcohol was not a factor.

Barak, a prominent real estate agent known for being featured on “Million Dollar Beach House,” was in the process of pulling her suitcase when the accident occurred.

Dressed in an orange sweatshirt and black pants, Kempton’s family observed the proceedings quietly in the courtroom. Her lawyer mentioned the afternoon was foggy and she didn’t see any victims, mistakenly believing she had hit something inanimate.

After leaving the scene, Kempton went to a friend’s house, where she discovered a large pink wheeled suitcase lodged under her car, according to Keho.

Law enforcement utilized license plate readers to trace Kempton’s movements and discovered damage to the front end of her vehicle at her family’s residence.

After the court hearing, Kempton and her family chose not to comment.