Riverhead woman involved in fatal accident in King Kullen parking lot issues statement

Emily Hill, the driver involved in the May 17 motor vehicle accident in the King Kullen parking lot that claimed the life of a 51-year-old Hampton Bays woman, has issued a statement about the accident.

Hill, 43, of Riverhead, was the operator of a Chevy Silverado pickup truck that struck pedestrian Martha Garcia outside the Riverhead supermarket at about 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 17.

Garcia was treated at the scene and transported by Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Peconic Bay Medical Center, where she was then airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital. She succumbed to her injuries at Stony Brook on May 19.

No charges have been filed in the accident.

Hill is the wife of Thaddeus Hill, executive director of Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch in Riverhead, founded by his parents, the Rev. Jerry and Fern Hill, whose son Timothy, 13, was struck and killed in a motor vehicle accident while riding his bicycle to school in Riverhead. Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch has since 1980 operated a residential facility for troubled teens on Middle Road. The nonprofit organization is named for Thaddeus Hill’s older brother, who dreamed of opening a home for boys who needed a home and a family.

The Hills released the following statement to the media this afternoon:

My husband and I have spent our lives both personally and professionally seeking to help others work through the pain they have experienced in their own lives. In one second, a life is taken and indescribable pain is created for Ms. Garcia’s son and our families. We believe there is purpose in pain, and that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Though we believe that scripture, we cannot understand what His purpose might be at this time. What we do know is that our heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ love Ms. Garcia, her son, me, and all those impacted by this accident equally. Jesus gives us grace for the day and He offers multiple promises that help to deal with heartache and fear (Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 45:3, Zephaniah 3:17, Romans 5:3).

The Hill family is grateful for the outpouring of prayers and support to us and for Ms. Garcia, her son, Christian Velasquez, and their family. We ask that you continue to offer your prayers as we seek healing one day at a time. Our family is eternally grateful for Jean Meyer, the Riverhead Police Department, and the first responders who were gentle and caring to both Ms. Garcia and myself.

As a family, we have lived with the loss of one of our own family members, who also lost his life in a vehicle accident some years ago. That fact does not lessen the pain in any way for our family or Ms. Garcia’s family. Our minds and hearts are daily with Christian and we pray that we will see God’s hand guide us through the moments, days, and years ahead.”