The Ulster County District Attorney’s Office and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office announce the indictment and arrest of Ty Kobelt, 33, of Gardiner. The Ulster County District Attorney’s Office obtained the indictment of Ty Kobelt from an Ulster County Grand Jury on March 21st for his connection with a fatal hit-and-run which resulted in the death of 22-year-old SUNY New Paltz student Raymond Rattray in January.
A warrant of arrest was subsequently issued by the Ulster County Court. Ulster County Sheriff’s Office detectives located and arrested Ty Kobelt near his home on the evening of Friday, March 22nd.
The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and Forensic Investigation Unit, and New Paltz Police began investigating Rattray’s death on January 24th after he was found off the roadway by an individual walking along Route 208 in the Town of New Paltz. His mother had reported him as a missing person to the Town of New Paltz Police just hours prior to the discovery of his body. Through an extensive investigation, it was determined Raymond Rattray had been walking on Route 208 on January 23rd when he was struck by a 2018 Honda Accord operated by Ty Kobelt.
Detectives were able to identify and locate the vehicle involved within the first 15 hours of the investigation. Additionally, it was learned Ty Kobelt had taken steps to conceal the damage to his vehicle.
Kobelt stands charged with the felonies of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Leaving the Scene of an Incident Resulting in Death.
He was arraigned on March 25th before Judge Bryan Rounds and was remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $250,000 cash bail, $500,000 bond or $750,000 partially secured bond as requested and recommended by the District Attorney’s Office. He is scheduled to appear back in Ulster County Court on a future date and time.
Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa said, “This is a tragic event for the SUNY New Paltz community and Ulster County. The carelessness shown to human life in several recent fatal hit and run accidents this year is unprecedented. This cannot be tolerated for a civilized society. Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Mr. Raymond Rattray.”
Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji said, “Beyond the seriousness and significance of this case in a criminal prosecution, I call on all users of our roads, drivers and pedestrians alike, to be mindful that automobiles are dangerous instruments. It is important that we preserve everyone’s safe use of the roads rather than have to search for fault in criminal and civil litigations which, in the end, can never bring back anyone lost to these tragedies involving pedestrians and vehicles.”
SUNY New Paltz President Darrell P. Wheeler said, “The safety of our students and campus community is paramount to a university experience. The University community continues to mourn the loss of Raymond Rattray from January’s pedestrian-vehicle accident. SUNY New Paltz is grateful to the Ulster County Sheriff, District Attorney, Executive, New York State Police, and all who are working diligently through this case.”
Deputy Chief ADA Paul Derohannesian is prosecuting the case. Defendant Ty Kobelt is represented by the Ulster County Public Defender’s Office.