Another deadly tragedy rocks Tioga County, NY

An Owego (Tioga County) teenager is dead and a Port Crane man is in custody charged with felony first-degree vehicular manslaughter following a hit and run crash Saturday night in the Town of Fenton. The Broome County Sheriff’s Office said the incident took place at about 10:10 Saturday night on State Route 369. Sheriff David Harder said 16-year-old Constance F. Mazzarese of Paige Street in Owego was fatally injured when an SUV crossed the highway, struck her, and never stopped. A second bicyclist was unhurt. The driver of the SUV was identified as Michael Gincerowski Jr. of Rogers Road in Port Crane. The Sheriff said he was operating a 2005 Ford Escape SUV when the collision occurred. Gincerowski is charged with Vehicular Manslaughter 1st degree, a class C felony; Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, a class D felony; Driving while intoxicated, a class E felony and aggravated unlicensed operation 1st degree, a class E felony.  The Broome County District Attorney’s Office assisted the Sheriff’s Office in obtaining a blood seizure order for the driver’s blood. Toxicology results are pending at this time. Gincerowski was arraigned and remanded to jailed to awaiting further court action. The Sheriff said the driver and his vehicle were found about a mile from the scene when he was taken into custody. The Sheriff’s Office released a statement late Sunday morning that the roadway where the collision occurred is not lit and the bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment nor reflective clothing.

Earlier this morning, a Horseheads man died when he crashed his motorcycle in Candor, Tioga County.  Also this month, a Tioga County father was arrested after he sexually assaulted and then killed his eight-month old daughter. The child's body was found June 9th floating in a pond.