Valley Stream driver charged with killing skateboarder

A Valley Stream man was arrested and charged by county prosecutors who allege he fatally struck a Long Beach skateboarder in Westbury earlier this year. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that Mactyme Michel, 19, was charged with criminally negligent homicide.

Michel was arraigned before Nassau County Court Judge Christopher Hoefenkrieg in Mineola earlier this month where he pleaded not guilty and was released to pretrial services. If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison.

At around 2:25 p.m. on January 12, Michel was driving a 2012 Honda Pilot on Cantiague Lange near Sunnyside Lane when he drove unto the left side of the road where he allegedly overtook the car driving in front of him and sped past the stop sign at the intersection. The car, while still on the left-hand side, plowed into an unsuspecting Gerrin Hagen, 18, from behind as he was skateboarding to his car from a BOCES location. Hagen was taken to Nassau University Medical Center where died the day after, succumbing to his injuries.

“Gerrin Hagen’s life was tragically cut short when this defendant allegedly ran through a stop sign and struck the young man, who was riding on a skateboard,” Donnelly said. “Hagen was a talented ice hockey and lacrosse player who was beloved by the entire Long Beach community. We continue to mourn with his family members, friends, and classmates as we prosecute this case.”

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Tara DePalo and Brianna Ryan of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau. Michel is represented by his lawyer Anthony Grandinette. He is due back in court on August 21, 2023.

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