Guilty plea in fatal hit-and-run crash in Croton-on-Hudson

Jonathan Bandler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
Updated ·2 min read
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An off-duty Croton-on-Hudson firefighter involved in a hit-and-run crash on Route 9 last year that left a motorcyclist dead pleaded guilty Thursday to leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

Nicholas Edwards-Ambos, 27, was never charged with causing the death of Richard Lent in the July 15 crash near Senasqua Road in the village. He pleaded guilty in Westchester County Court after he was promised a sentence of five years probation.

The 34-year-old Lent had two daughters and worked as a mechanic at Little Bear Wheel Alignment in Montrose. His mother, Raquette Thompson, and other relatives were in court for the guilty plea and afterwards she complained Edwards-Ambos did not face more serious charges or incarceration.

Nicholas Edwards-Ambos leaving Westchester County Court May 23, 2024, after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal accident, the July 2023 crash in which motorcyclist Richard Lent died in Croton-on-Hudson
Nicholas Edwards-Ambos leaving Westchester County Court May 23, 2024, after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal accident, the July 2023 crash in which motorcyclist Richard Lent died in Croton-on-Hudson

"As a first-responder you're trained to respond to the scene, not leave the scene," Thompson said. "He left the scene. You must be hiding something if you leave the scene."

Croton-on-Hudson police detectives used a side mirror found at the accident scene to track down Edwards-Ambos' 2018 Hyundai Elantra. He was interviewed two days later and arrested after acknowledging he knew there had been an accident.

Thompson also complained that Lent was being blamed for his own death after the investigation revealed her son had been driving recklessly and at an excessive speed.

Richard Lent, motorcyclist who died in an accident on Route 9A in Croton-on-Hudson July 15, 2023.
Richard Lent, motorcyclist who died in an accident on Route 9A in Croton-on-Hudson July 15, 2023.

Defense lawyer Aaron Wallenstein called the case "a tragedy all around" and said he understood the grief and pain of Lent's family. But his client was only criminally responsible for leaving and failing to report, he said, adding that being a convicted felon on probation is a harsh penalty considering he did not cause the accident that led to Lent's death.

The leaving the scene charge carried a sentence ranging from probation to up to seven years in prison. State Supreme Court Justice James McCarty accepted the plea and sentence offer and scheduled sentencing for Sept. 12.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Croton-on-Hudson fatal hit-and-run crash: Firefighter pleaded guilty