Friday 23 September 2022 02:50 AM Hamptons driver may now face jail time in fatal hit-and-run that killed ... trends now
The Hamptons hit-and-run driver who mowed down an 18-year-old man could finally be chucked in jail in the coming weeks, the victim's lawyer has told DailyMail.com.
Daniel Campbell, 20, could get 90 days in prison for striking and killing Devesh 'Devu' Samtani in Amagansett on August 10, 2021, attorney Benjamin Brafman said.
He told how the devastated family were hopeful the sentence will be brought down on the defendant next month.
It comes less than a month after DailyMail.com revealed Campbell had a string of previous driving offences before mowing down Samtani.
They included speeding tickets days before the fatal crash, a head-on collision and even having his license stripped from him.
Samtani had been walking along Old Stone Highway with his cousin Kabir Kurani, 18, and their friends trying to get service to get an Uber back home.
But he was hit by Campbell - driving a Honda Pilot packed with nine passengers - so hard he flew 6ft into the air, with his shoes flying off his feet.
Campbell allegedly then drove off and left the economics student to die on the highway surrounded by his friends.
Daniel Campbell appeared dismal as he walked with his father (pictured right) outside of the Arthur M. Cromarty Criminal Court Complex in Riverhead. Campbell struck and killed Samtani in the fatal hit-and-run and fled the scene. Samtani had been walking along Old Stone Highway in Amagansett with his cousin, Kabir Kurani, 18 and some other teens on August 10, 2021 when the devastating incident took place
Mala and Kishore Samtani stand outside the courthouse after they learn of the court's decision. Mala holds a framed photo of her son that she always carries with her. The parents are hoping to get justice for their beloved son who was killed in the fatal hit-and-run. Samtani was supposed to start NYU in the Fall of 2021 before the tragedy occurred
The tragic accident happened on Old Stone Highway near where the road curves at Eastwood Court, according to the accident report. The driver identified as Daniel Campbell, 20, plowed into Devu and kept on driving. His 2012 Honda Pilot was packed with 9 passengers
Brafman told DailyMail.com outside Suffolk County Criminal Court on Thursday that the court was considering 90 days jail time.
'We are pleased that the court gave very serious consideration to our position,' he said.
'We are indeed hopeful that the court said he is inclined to change the promise on the sentence from community service to 90 days in jail assuming Mr. Campbell agrees to accept that sentence.'
He said if he does not accept the sentence and doesn't agree then under the law he is able to take his plea back.
Judge Richard Ambro planned to sentence Campbell to just six months community services and five years probation in lieu of jail time.
The judge's promise was contingent on Campbell steering clear of the law and showing up at the sentencing, despite admitting felony causing death.
Devu's parents, Mala and Kishore Samtani, were shocked and devastated by the judge's decision that Campbell would get no jail time.
Campbell arriving at the Suffolk County Courthouse on Thursday morning, which was the original date of his sentencing that had been postponed due to a computer glitch in Suffolk County that prevented the judge from getting the completed probation report. The new date is scheduled for October 25 .Campbell is pictured here walking with his parents and his attorney, Edward Burke, Jr. (pictured in the front)
Daniel Campbell looking glum as he left the Suffolk County Courthouse in Riverhead after Thursday's court appearance. He was accompanied by his mother and father (pictured walking alongside him) and his lawyer Edward Burke, Jr. who was partially concealed in photo
Devu's parents have been heartbroken since their youngest son Devesh 'Devu' Samtani was killed last summer. The soft-spoken Kishore said: We are not revengeful people. We just want closure'
Brafman said he believes the judge's change of heart was based on Campbell's prior driving record after they had sent him new information.
He told DailyMail.com he had sent a written submission to the judge which included Campbell's driving record.
He said: 'We explained to the judge that if he proceeds with the sentence of community service the family does not believe that that it is really justice.
'We also explained that it is probably not possible for him to have been driving at 20-25 miles per hour as he told the police who interviewed him because the impact was substantial.'
Brafman said 'witnesses say Devu flew more than six feet in the air and landed without his shoes.
'The force of the impact was just not possible for him to have been driving 20-25 miles per hour,' he said.
'The crime here is leaving the scene of the accident. The crime is he ran away and should have stopped. He should have remained on the scene,'
