Driver sentenced in Mastic Beach hit-and-run that killed couple

Prosecutors say in December 2018, Patrick Poillon blew through a stop sign in Mastic Beach, crashed into William and Jean Molnar’s car and left the scene.

News 12 Staff

Nov 18, 2020, 10:38 PM

Updated 1,482 days ago

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The Mastic Beach man who pleaded guilty to killing a husband and wife in a hit-and-run was sentenced to three to nine years in prison Wednesday.
Prosecutors say in December 2018, Patrick Poillon blew through a stop sign in Mastic Beach, crashed into William and Jean Molnar's car and left the scene.
The married couple died, and Poillon was arrested hours later.
The judge sentenced Poillon for manslaughter and leaving the scene.
News 12 spoke to Jean Molnar's mother, who says her daughter and son-in-law left behind four children and three grandchildren.
"I'm glad we got justice today and we can put this behind us. It will never be enough, we'll never see my daughter and son-in-law again," says Christina Fudenski, the victim's mother.  
Before the sentencing, Poillon spoke and apologized for his actions that caused the death of the Mastic Beach couple.
He and his lawyer also spoke about his rough upbringing.
"He was taken from his parents at 7 years old, he was taken into CPS custody. His mother committed suicide this past summer, his brother committed suicide. His father's an alcoholic who actually showed up to his court appearance here today drunk, he was not allowed in the courtroom. So, this was a kid who literally had no shot," said lawyer Katherine Fernandez.
Before handing down the sentence, Judge Fernando Camacho said Poillon was a coward for running away from the scene.
Fudenski says she will grieve for the rest of her life but does hope that Poillon gets rehabilitated during his jail time, saying, "I'm going to pray that he gets help, because he needs it."