N.Y.C. Developer Accused in Fatal Crash Appears in Court

Sean P. Ludwick, the New York real estate developer accused of being drunk at 2 a.m. on Sunday when his 2013 Porsche convertible crashed into a utility pole, killing his passenger, Paul Hansen of Noyac, appeared in Southampton Town Justice Court on Friday.

Mr. Ludwick, who was charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident, a felony, as well as misdemeanor drunken driving, sat in the back of the courtroom as his lawyer, Daniel J. Ollen, spoke with the prosecutor, Adriana Noyola, a Suffolk County assistant district attorney. At one point he pulled out a wad of cash, counting out the bills as he waited.

According to court documents, Mr. Ludwick is also charged with violating a restriction on his license requiring him to wear glasses or contacts when driving. Southampton Town police say he was not doing so at the time of the crash.

Mr. Hansen lived on Rolling Hill Court East, very near the crash site. Detective Sgt. Lisa Costa indicated Friday that Mr. Ludwick had driven past Mr.  Hansen's driveway into a cul-de-sac at the end of the road, then doubled back, missing the house again, just before the crash happened. He then drove off in his wrecked car, despite two flat tires. Police found him minutes later, a quarter-mile away.

Detective Costa would not comment specifically on a report that Mr. Ludwick had thrown his car keys into the woods. "He tossed several items from his car," she said, adding that a New York State police K-9 unit was called in recovered the items.

Detectives are still reconstructing the men's movements earlier that evening. Anyone with information has been asked to call (631) 728-5000.

When Southampton Town Justice Deborah E. Kooperstein called his name on Friday, Mr. Ludwick, who was released from the county jail in Riverside on Tuesday after posting a $1 million bond, stood, buttoned the jacket of his dark-gray suit, and stepped forward. His court session lasted about one minute, as the justice set a return date of Sept. 28.

Mr. Ludwick, hands clutched behind his back, left the courtroom behind his lawyer. They drove off in a silver Infiniti G37X, with Mr. Ollen at the wheel.

Mr. Ollen represented Mr. Ludwick in New York City last year when he was arrested on multiple charges. Police said he had entered an ex-girlfriend's apartment, defaced paintings he had given her, and thrown paint on the floor, as well as sending derogatory emails about her. According to the lawyer, Mr. Ludwick eventually pleaded guilty to a single count of harassment, a violation.

The year before, he was charged on Martha's Vineyard with assault with a deadly weapon, again involving a girlfriend. He was allowed to plead guilty to a lesser charge then as well.

A family member of Mr. Hansen's, along with Edward Burke Jr., a lawyer and a friend of the victim from childhood, arrived at the courthouse just after the proceedings ended. Mr. Hansen's funeral was on Thursday.

Mr. Ludwick's blood was drawn at Southampton Hospital after the crash. It is being examined for evidence of alcohol and/or drugs at the Suffolk County Crime Lab; the results have not yet been released.