COURT HOUSE – The defendant in a fatal hit-and-run accident that killed an 80-year-old pedestrian pleaded guilty in court May 17.
Hugo M. Maucher took responsibility for leaving the scene of the crash, which resulted in the death of Marjorie Straubmuller, who was walking in the lane of traffic Dec. 29, 2022, on Stagecoach Road, according to a preliminary investigation.
The plea is open, meaning there is no recommended sentence negotiated between prosecutors and Maucher’s defense lawyer. It will be up to Judge J. Christopher Gibson, who could issue anything from a suspended sentence to 10 years in state prison.
Maucher, 51, pleaded guilty to the second-degree count of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death. Prosecutors agreed to drop a charge for failing to render aid as a result of the plea. Senior Assistant Prosecutor Edward Shim said sentencing could arguably have run consecutive on the second charge.
Shim said at sentencing, scheduled for June 29, he will argue for the maximum for Maucher – 10 years in state prison. As part of the agreement, if Maucher is not happy with his sentence and appeals, the state can take the deal back and start the prosecution from the beginning.
The state had argued at Maucher’s detention hearing – where they successfully convinced Gibson to order Maucher held pending trial – that evidence at the scene indicated Maucher may have been drinking prior to the crash. However, Shim told the Herald that the state likely would not have been able to prove that accusation.
No drinking-related charges were ever filed, and it would not be something Shim could argue as an aggravating factor at the sentencing hearing.
Under questioning from his attorney, John Tumelty, Maucher acknowledged his role in Straubmuller’s death while entering his guilty plea.
Maucher testified he was driving north on Stagecoach Road Dec. 29, 2022, and hit something, but did not know right away what it was. Maucher said he stopped, got out of the car, and walked to the area where the impact occurred.
He testified he then realized he hit an older woman and that she was seriously injured and lying in the street, and although Maucher said he did wait at the scene for a little more time, until paramedics arrived, he acknowledged he then got back in his car and left the scene, leaving Straubmuller lying in the street.
According to arrest records, Straubmuller was airlifted to a hospital where she was pronounced dead later that evening.
Two of the victim’s sons were in the courtroom May 17 and another was watching a stream of the proceedings from Florida, the prosecutor said.
After the accident, police put out a composite sketch of a suspect based on eyewitness accounts. They also had a partial plate and a vehicle description.
Maucher turned himself in to police Jan. 3. He has been in custody since and would get credit for time served toward any custodial sentence.
To reach the reporter, Shay Roddy, email sroddy@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 142.
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