Kingston, NY— Ty Kobelt, 33, of Gardiner, NY pleaded guilty in Ulster County Court on September 18, 2024 before the Honorable Bryan Rounds to the charges of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Leaving the Scene of an Incident without Reporting, stemming from a fatal hit-and-run resulting in the death of 22-year-old SUNY New Paltz student, Raymond Rattray, in January of this year. Kobelt was remanded without bail to the Ulster County Jail following his plea of guilty; his sentencing is scheduled for December 19, 2024.
The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, New York State Police Collision Reconstruction and Forensic Investigation Units, and New Paltz Police began investigating Rattray’s death on January 24th after his body was discovered off the roadway by an individual walking along Route 208 in the Town of New Paltz. His mother had reported him as a missing person to the Town of New Paltz Police just hours before the discovery. The ensuing extensive investigation determined that Raymond Rattray had been walking on Route 208 on January 23rd when he was struck by a 2018 Honda Accord operated by Ty Kobelt. Detectives were able to identify and locate the vehicle within the first fifteen hours of the investigation. Additionally, it appeared that Ty Kobelt had taken steps to conceal the damage to his vehicle. The investigation further showed that Kobelt had consumed cannabis shortly before driving the vehicle, and was additionally on his cell phone at the time when his car struck the victim.
This investigation was led by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office Detective Unit with assistance from the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and Forensic Investigation Unit and the New Paltz Police Department.
Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa said, “Today’s conviction will never bring the life back of Raymond Rattray. This was a senseless, careless and preventable travesty; a total disregard of human life and the law. So many lives were changed forever that day, pray for their families. We must all know that life is precious. I thank the community , law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s office for assuring that the voice of the victims are heard.”
Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji said,“We all need to recognize that motor vehicles are dangerous and can be very deadly when operated under the influence of any substance or distraction of any kind. Every driver and operator of a dangerous instrument or weapon has a moral and legal responsibility to every pedestrian and others. Let’s care more and reduce these tragedies, because thoughts and prayers certainly are not stopping them.”
Deputy Chief ADA Paul Derohannesian is prosecuting the case. Defendant Ty Kobelt is represented by Mark Formichelli of the Dutchess County Public Defender's Office.
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