Southampton Town police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who police said struck and killed a prominent real estate agent who was found lying in the road early Thursday in Hampton Bays.
Police said Sara Burack, 40, of Southampton, was struck by an unknown vehicle that sped away from the crash, which occurred before 2:45 a.m. Thursday on Montauk Highway. Police said Burack died from her injuries Thursday afternoon.
Burack was a former real estate agent for Nest Seekers International, a Hamptons and New York City-based real estate agency of high-end properties. She was also featured in the Netflix series “Million Dollar Beach House,” set in the Hamptons.
Burack left Nest Seekers more than a year ago but stayed in close contact with former colleagues and friends, said Geoff Gifkins, the Hamptons regional manager for Nest Seekers.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends,” Gifkins said in a message. “Please be kind and respectful as this is a tremendous loss to her parents and close friends.”
A 911 caller reported an injured woman seen on Montauk Highway at about 2:45 a.m. near Villa Paul Restaurant, west of Springville Road, police said.
Police said Burack was transported by ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital.
Paulette Corsair, a real estate agent and close family friend, said she was with Burack in her final hours. She said Burack will be remembered for helping raise money for numerous foundations in New York City.
“I want people to remember she was an amazing person who really cared for people,” Corsair said. “She was a hardworking real estate agent who was there for others. She was loved greatly by her friends and a close family.”
Detectives and a New York State Police accident reconstruction unit were investigating the crash.
Police did not provide a description of the driver or the vehicle.
Police are asking anyone with information to call 631-702-2230 or 631-728-3400.
More coverage: Every 7 minutes on average a traffic crash causing death, injury or significant property damage happens on Long Island. A Newsday investigation found that traffic crashes killed more than 2,100 people between 2014 and 2023 and seriously injured more than 16,000 people. To search for fatal crashes in your area, click here.
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.