Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen reports that John F. Lincoln-Lynch (dob 4/22/1966) of 170 Bluebird Road, Town of Moreau, the perpetrator of a tragic hit-and-run incident on February 27, 2022 on Main Street in South Glens Falls, today received his sentence in Saratoga County Court. The hit-and-run crash resulted in the death of South Glens Falls native Paul Trombley. Defendant Lincoln-Lynch was sentenced by Saratoga County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III to an indeterminate term of 1 to 3 years in a state correctional facility after pleading guilty during jury selection to the top count of the indictment, Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting (Death), a class D felony, in violation of New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 600(2)(a) and (c).
The indictment arose from a vehicle-pedestrian collision near the Stewart’s in South Glens Falls, taking place at approximately 7:28 p.m. on February 27, 2022. Tragically, the defendant struck and fatally injured Paul Trombley with his vehicle before fleeing the scene. A prompt and thorough investigation by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office led to a significant breakthrough in the case two days later. Members of the Sheriff’s Office recovered pieces of the vehicle involved and brought them to a local paint shop, where experts determined the parts to be from a Subaru Forester. With this information, investigators from the Sheriff’s Office canvassed the South Glens Falls area and eventually, their efforts led to the location of the defendant and his vehicle at his residence on Bluebird Drive in South Glens Falls.
The courtroom was filled with family and friends of the victim during the sentencing proceedings. Emotions ran high as fifteen victim impact statements were read, including heartfelt messages from Mr. Trombley’s wife, son, and daughter.
Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting Death is classified as a class D felony, carrying a maximum sentence of 2 1/3 to 7 years in New York. Lucinda Trombley, wife of Paul Trombley, expressed her sentiments during the sentencing: “I have been given a sentence of life without Paul.” She further emphasized, “The maximum sentence of 2 1/3 to 7 years for this crime is not enough. The victims of this crime deserve more respect than that for this crime.”
District Attorney Karen A. Heggen stated, “Today’s sentencing brings a measure of closure to a deeply painful chapter for the Trombley family and our community. This case is an example of why the law must continue to evolve to ensure justice is served in cases like the one today.”
Both the Trombley family and the District Attorney’s Office are in support of proposed legislation that would close existing loopholes in this law and elevate the maximum penalty for this crime to a class C felony, with a range of 5 to 15 years imprisonment.
The District Attorney’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police Computer Forensic Lab for their unwavering dedication in bringing this case to resolution. Additionally, we express gratitude to local businesses for their invaluable assistance in providing surveillance footage, which played a pivotal role in apprehending the defendant.
DATED: October 31, 2023