Manhattanville student killed; Rye driver charged

WHITE PLAINS - Police on Monday released the identities of the 21-year-old Manhattanville College lacrosse player struck and killed on Westchester Avenue Sunday morning and the 24-year-old Rye woman who was allegedly driving drunk when she hit him.

Robby Schartner's death on Westchester Avenue led police to charge Emma Fox with a felony count of vehicular homicide and a misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, police said.

Fox's blood-alcohol content was 0.21 when tested after the fatality, White Plains Police Commissioner David Chong said Monday. The legal threshold for a DWI charge is .08 percent.

"This is a tragedy for everybody, and a stark reminder about drinking and driving," Chong said.

FUNERAL: Robby Schartner's wake, funeral set

BACKGROUND: Man, 21, killed by drunk driver: White Plains cops

MANHATTANVILLE post about Robby Schartner's death

Schartner was walking back to Manhattanville College when he was struck just before 5 a.m.along Westchester Avenue under the Anderson Hill Road overpass, Chong said.

Fox called the police herself, Chong said.

"She stated she may have hit something on Westchester Avenue," Chong said. "She drove about three blocks, (then) stopped, and saw the damage to her vehicle."

Police impounded her 2012 Nissan Sentra at the scene as part of the investigation.

Chong said the investigation includes determining where Fox had been Sunday night before hitting Schartner.

Fox was being held Monday at the Westchester County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail after being arraigned on the charges, Chong said. She lives in an apartment on Midland Avenue in Rye.

Schartner, who police said lived in the Dutchess County community of Fishkill, was entering his third season with the Manhattanville College Valiant men's lacrosse program, college sports information director Steve Sheridan wrote on the college's website.

The college athletics department's website identified the junior's hometown as Brookfield, Connecticut and said he was a 2013 graduate of the high school there, where he played three years of lacrosse and one year of soccer. On Facebook, his profile says he was originally from the Putnam County town of Garrison.

Schartner appeared in 10 games at Manhattanville last season as a sophomore, and started the final eight contests as an attacker. He scored the first three goals of his collegiate career and added an assist, Sheridan wrote.

Manhattanville President Michael Geisler said Schartner "earned his spot on the team the hard way."

"It was not easy for him, but the sacrifices he made inspired the team and epitomized what it means to be a scholar-athlete at Manhattanville," Geisler wrote. "He loved the sport of lacrosse, he loved his teammates and he loved being a Manhattanville lacrosse player. … We are all in shock and we extend our prayers and condolences to his family members and friends."

Staff from the college's counseling center will be available throughout the week for members of the Manhattanville community, officials said.

Schartner's personal information provided by the college said he had three siblings and planned to major in marketing.

A GoFundMe page has been set up in Schartner's memory, apparently by his siblings, who wrote: "We are beyond shattered at the news of our youngest brothers life being taken by a drunk driver last night. He was studying marketing at Manhattanville college in NY, a dedicated college lacrosse player and a brother, a son, a grandchild, an uncle and a friend to all who knew him.

"This loss is pure devastation to our family and his friends as we prepare to say our unexpected final goodbyes. We appreciate all of the love, support and outreach. Hug your loved ones."

Twitter: @lohudlegal