Broome County Hit-and-Run Case: Guilty Plea Entered In Fatal Johnson City Incident

Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti held a press on Tuesday, January 16 to announce the guilty plea of Rajee Al-Mashni in a fatal hit-and-run case that occurred in Johnson City in 2023.

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According to the DA's office, the plea was entered on January 11, 2024, in Broome County Court, where Al-Mashni pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Driving While Ability Impaired by Combined Influence of Drugs and Alcohol, and Attempted Assault in the Second Degree.

The incident took place on March 5, 2023, at the Oakdale Commons, where Al-Mashni struck 72-year-old Elizabeth Atkinson with a motor vehicle and fled the scene. Atkinson succumbed to her injuries.

The office of the Broome County District Attorney says Al-Mashni is expected to receive a sentence of 5 to 15 years in a New York State Correctional Facility, which is the maximum sentence allowed under New York State law.

In his press conference, District Attorney Battisti emphasized the gravity of impaired driving, stating, "Impaired driving continues to plague our streets, and far too many families, like Ms. Atkinson's." Battisti noted that his office will "continue to treat impaired and drunk driving with the seriousness it requires."

In addition to the hit-and-run case, Al-Mashni also entered a guilty plea for Attempted Assault in the Second Degree related to a separate incident on June 27, 2022. This motor vehicle accident occurred at the corner of Leroy and Chapin Street in the City of Binghamton, resulting in severe injuries to several individuals. Al-Mashni is anticipated to be sentenced to 1 to 3 years in a New York State Correctional Facility for this offense. The sentences for both cases will run consecutively.

District Attorney Battisti expressed his gratitude to the Johnson City Police Department, the Binghamton Police Department, and the New York State Police for their relentless efforts in investigating these criminal matters. He also commended Senior Assistant District Attorney Sarah Dean for her meticulous prosecution of the case on behalf of the District Attorney's Office.

The sentencing for Rajee Al-Mashni has been scheduled for April 9, 2024, at the Broome County Court.