Young Woman Killed in Hit-and-Run by Suspected Drunk Driver in Upstate New York
A Tragic Incident
A 22-year-old woman, Madison Faltisco, was killed in a hit-and-run in upstate New York by a suspected drunk driver with whom she had been drinking earlier that evening. According to Onondaga County Sheriff’s spokesman Tomas Newton, Faltisco was bar hopping with her co-worker in the town of Clay last Thursday night when she refused to get into her co-worker’s car and chose to walk home around 10:30 p.m. local time.
Hit and Run
Faltisco started walking down Oswego Street and passed an intersection before Joshua Schiano, 23, hit her with his car and continued driving down the street. Within two minutes of hitting the young woman with his car, Schiano was in another accident less than a mile away down the road.
Suspected Drunk Driving
Schiano’s car caught fire, and someone pulled him out of the car before police arrived. Newton confirmed that Schiano was intoxicated but did not give details about the results of his blood alcohol test. Detectives interviewed Faltisco’s friends and determined that she had previously refused to let Schiano give her a ride.
Felony Charges Filed
Faltisco’s body was discovered by a passerby around 5 a.m. the next day, more than six hours after she was struck. The Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office charged Schiano with three felonies: manslaughter, punishable by up to 15 years in prison; vehicular manslaughter, punishable up to 7 years; and leaving the scene of a fatal accident, which is punishable by up to 7 years.
Family Fundraiser
Faltisco’s family has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for her burial costs after her tragic death. Schiano was arraigned late Friday and pleaded not guilty before a judge, according to the prosecutor’s office. A hearing date will be set after the case is presented to the grand jury. He is currently being held at the Onondaga County Justice Center with bond set at $500,000 bond or $250,000 cash.
