The Binghamton City School District has confirmed a 16-year-old girl has died after she was hit Monday by a driver suspected of being under the influence of drugs.
According to Binghamton Police, officers responded to reports of two pedestrians struck by a vehicle on Beethoven Street near Lincoln Avenue just before 3:30 p.m. Monday.
An investigation determined that a Jeep Wrangler was traveling southbound on Beethoven Street and went off the road, crossed over the curb and hit 16-year-old Harper Stantz and 19-year-old Britney Laserinko, who were walking home after a game of tennis at Recreation Park. The girls were both seriously injured and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, and according to a statement from the Binghamton School District on Wednesday afternoon, Stantz — a Binghamton High School junior — later died.
"She brightened the lives of all who knew her, and she will be profoundly missed," the statement read in part. "We extend our deepest condolences and support to the Stantz family as they cope with this immense loss."
The Jeep continued through the front yards of two residences and stopped after hitting two trees. The driver, identified as Kevin L. Wilcox, 33, of Harpursville, was under the influence of drugs according to court documents. He was uninjured in the incident and arrested at the scene.
Wilcox allegedly admitted to police he took 8 milligrams Suboxone 30 minutes prior to driving. It’s a prescription medicine for adults to treat opioid addiction.
"Any drug that's prescribed by a doctor that's a controlled substance, that doesn't mean you're not allowed to drive or that you cannot drive,” said Broome County District Attorney Steve Cornwell. “But if you drive and that drug impairs your ability to drive, then it's a crime."
Court documents say at the time of the crash, Wilcox had bloodshot, glossy eyes. He was also lethargic and unbalanced according to the report.
"It’s really tragic what can result when someone gets behind the wheel and they're impaired by drugs, alcohol, whether they're distracted or even drowsy," said Broome County STOP-DWI coordinator Chris Marion.
Wilcox is facing charges of first-degree vehicular assault, which is a felony, and driving while ability impaired by drugs, which is a misdemeanor. Those charges could change with the news of Stantz passing away.
"If you're going to make bad lifestyle choices and make a horrible decision that can affect other people, innocent people around you, that's unforgiveable," said Cornwell.
He pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Broome County Court.
A Broome County Sheriff’s Office Drug Recognition expert was called in to assist the investigation. The New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and Broome County District Attorney’s Office assisted at the scene and with the investigation.