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A New York State man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to four counts related to an alleged motorbike hit-and-run that left a University at Albany student in a coma in April.
Austin Breyette, 25, of Watervliet, is accused of hitting 19-year-old Alexa Kropf with what police previously described as an “illegal dirt bike” on the evening of April 26 when she was out with her friends.
Breyette now faces one count of second-degree assault, one count of leaving the scene of an incident without reporting and two counts of tampering with physical evidence.
An indictment obtained by NEWS 10 ABC/ FOX 23 Albany states that Breyette allegedly attempted to conceal evidence, including a blue dirt bike and a red Porsche.
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Austin Breyette is charged in a motorbike hit-and-run that left 19-year-old Alexa Kropf in a coma. (Albany County DA/family handout)
“We are relieved and grateful to the Albany Police Department for their swift and diligent efforts in apprehending the individual responsible for the hit-and-run incident involving our daughter,” Alexa’s father, Jim Kopf, told Fox News Digital in a statement. “From the moment the incident occurred, we had complete confidence in the Albany Police Department’s ability to bring the predator to justice. We cannot thank them enough for their unwavering pursuit of justice.”
Kropf underwent two brain surgeries to remove bleeding and swelling, her father said. She also suffered two broken bones in her lower right leg, fractures in her pelvis, five broken ribs and bruised lungs, he previously told Fox News Digital. She had 50 staples put into her skull and more in her leg.
Austin Breyette faces one count of second-degree assault, one count of leaving the scene of an incident without reporting and two counts of tampering with physical evidence. (News 10/ FOX 23 Albany)
Alexa spent 27 days at Albany Medical Center and is currently recovering in a rehabilitation center close to her home.
“All broken bones are healing. She continues to be more alert each day,” Kropf said in an update on her duaghter’s condition. “Has been able to sit up in bed and in a chair. No weight bearing activities at this time, so [she] is currently wheelchair bound. [She] is aware of her surroundings, however, has difficulty expressing herself verbally at times.”
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Jim Kropf described his daughter Alexa as loving, fun, responsible and hard-working. She is “a best friend” to her younger sister, and her younger brother “looks up to her.” (Family handout)
“Words and sentences don’t always make sense, which is troubling to see,” Kropf continued.
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Albany police previously said the hit-and-run suspect was “driving an illegal dirt bike at a high rate of speed while weaving in and out of groups of people in the roadway” on the 400 block of Hudson Avenue when he hit Kropf, according to a press release.
Jim Kropf thanked the medical staff with the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), the Ronald McDonald House for providing a place for his family to stay while visiting Alexa in the hospital, and local law enforcement. (Family handout)
“While driving at a high rate of speed, the suspect struck the victim and caused her to be thrown in the air, and land in the roadway several feet away from the initial impact,” police said.
Alexa had been out with friends that Saturday night; the dirt-biker hit her on a one-way street.
Breyette is being held at the Albany County Jail on $100,000 cash bail, $100,000 bond or $200,000 partially secured bond, according to the DA’s office. His attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.
Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. Email tips to audrey.conklin@fox.com or on Twitter at @audpants.
