DA Calls for Increased Sentences for Such ‘Callous’ Crimes
A Brentwood teenager was sentenced to the maximum available sentence of 1⅓ to four years in prison after pleading guilty in September to leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in injuries to six people.
On August 4, 2024, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Valdemar Meza-Martinez, who was 16 years old at the time, was driving a 2010 Nissan Rogue westbound on Patton Avenue in Wyandanch. Meza-Martinez was driving outside of his New York Permit restrictions and without proper adult supervision.
Meza-Martinez crashed the car he was driving into the rear of a stopped 2014 Kia Optima, whose occupants were exchanging information with the occupants of a stopped 2013 Toyota Camry. The impact caused the Optima to crash into the rear of the Camry, pinning the victim, who was inspecting the damage to her vehicle, between the two vehicles. The force of the collision partially amputated both of her legs. Meza-Martinez exited the Rogue and fled on foot as bystanders and witnesses attempted to render aid.
The victim was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she underwent surgery to amputate the remainder of her legs. Two occupants from the Optima, two occupants from the Camry, and one occupant from the Rogue sustained various non-life-threatening injuries from the crash. Law enforcement ultimately apprehended Meza-Martinez in front of his home approximately 11 hours after the crash.
On September 29, 2025, Meza-Martinez pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen Kerr to Leaving the Scene of an Incident Resulting in Serious Physical Injury, a Class E felony.
On January 14, 2026, Kerr sentenced Meza-Martinez as an adult to 1⅓ to four years in prison, the maximum sentence permitted under New York state law.
Suffolk County District Attorney called on state legislators to increase the sentences for such gruesome incidents.
“These injuries are life-altering,” Tierney said. “The fact that a driver could strike this victim, taking her legs, flee the scene as if nothing happened, and then only face a maximum 1⅓ to 4 years, is incomprehensible. It is completely callous to leave an injured individual on the side of the road without checking on their well-being or seeking help. I will continue to push our state lawmakers to pass legislation to increase the penalties for hit-and-run cases with serious physical injury and death in order to deter drivers from fleeing the scenes of crashes.”