A Bay Shore man, his girlfriend and a passenger in his car, were arraigned Monday on felony charges after allegedly striking a 16-year-old boy with a car, fleeing the scene and then trying to throw investigators off the trail by staging a new accident.
Krisofer Busching, 25, of North Babylon pleaded not guilty to a myriad of charges, including first-degree assault, fifth-degree conspiracy, criminal mischief, leaving the scene of an accident with serious physical injuries and petit larceny.
According to prosecutors, Busching was driving his 2012 Chrysler 300 when he struck 16-year-old Ryan McCarthy on Udall Road in West Islip on New Year's Eve. Outside the arraignment, McCarthy's family members said Busching intentionally hit the teenage boy, who remains hospitalized in critical condition, after the West Islip teen yelled at Busching from the road for speeding. Police said Busching fled the scene with his passenger, Carlo Caamano and then devised a plot to stage a second accident on a new car in an effort to throw off investigators.
Busching was arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Monday. His parents sat in the courtroom for nearly six hours as they waited for his case to be called. Judge Gigi Spelman set bail at $25,000 cash or $60,000 bond. After the proceeding, Busching's attorney, Michael Gajdos of Patchogue, told reporters that “it seems that this charge of assault may have been a bit of overcharging.” Asked if his client was likely to post bail, Gajdos said that it did not appear likely.
When he was brought to court this morning, Busching was asked if he was sorry for what he had done and he told reporters “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do it.” His parents didn't comment as they left the courthouse.
Two others, including Caamano and Busching's girlfriend, Alicia Santamaria, faced charges of hindering prosecution and conspiracy.
Manhattan-based attorney Stephen Preziosi represented Santamaria at her arraignment Monday. She entered a not guilty plea to second-degree hindering prosecution and fifth-degree conspiracy. Prosecutors said Santamaria tried to hide evidence that the Chrysler was involved in an accident and even told police that she purchased a car cover, “with the purpose of staging an accident to explain away the damage.” She was released just before 2 p.m., after posting $1,000 cash bail.
The vehicle's passenger, Carlo Caamano was arraigned on the same charges as Santamaria, as well as criminal mischief and petit larceny. Prosecutors said Caamano stole a mirror from another vehicle in an effort to cover up the accident. The district attorney's office requested $200,000 bail, saying that Caamano “went to such lengths to cover up the crime.” His attorney noted that Caamano has never been in trouble with the law before and although they deny the allegations made, his client's involvment in the crime was “limited.” $4,000 bail was ordered and Caamano remained in custody on Monday afternoon.
Caamano and Busching are due back in court on Friday. Santamaria will appear in court to face her charges in March.
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