DA: Upstate New York Man High, On Cell Phone When He Killed Missing Student

An Upstate New York man confessed to a fatal hit-and-run that took to life of a Hudson Valley student.

Ty Kobelt, 33, of Gardiner, New York pleaded guilty in Ulster County Court to manslaughter in the second degree and leaving the scene of an incident without reporting.

Gardiner, New York Man Pleads Guilty

Kobelt was remanded without bail to the Ulster County Jail. He's scheduled to be sentenced in December.

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“We all need to recognize that motor vehicles are dangerous and can be very deadly when operated under the influence of any substance or distraction of any kind. Every driver and operator of a dangerous instrument or weapon has a moral and legal responsibility to every pedestrian and others. Let’s care more and reduce these tragedies, because thoughts and prayers certainly are not stopping them," Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji said.

Missing SUNY New Paltz Student Killed

The accident happened in January and claimed the life of 22-year-old SUNY New Paltz student, Raymond Rattray.

Rattray’s dead body was found by a person walking on Route 208 in the Town of New Paltz on Jan. 24.

His mother reported his missing to the Town Of New Paltz Police Department just hours before his body was found.

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The "ensuing extensive investigation determined" that Rattray was hit while walking on Route 208 by Kobelt's 2018 Honda Accord. Kobelt was found within 15 hours. When he was found, he took steps to "conceal the damage to his vehicle."

Ulster County DA: Driver Was High, On Cell Phone

According to the Ulster County DA's office, Kobelt consumed cannabis shortly before driving the vehicle and was on his phone at the time of the accident.

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“(This) conviction will never bring the life back of Raymond Rattray. This was a senseless, careless and preventable travesty; a total disregard of human life and the law. So many lives were changed forever that day, pray for their families. We must all know that life is precious. I thank the community , law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s office for assuring that the voice of the victims are heard," Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa said.

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