Driver Who Killed 7-Year-Old Girl in Wrong-Way DUI Crash Is Released from Prison, as Girl's Mother Reacts

Mar. 15, 2025

Martin Heidgen.Photo:AP Photo/Dick Yarwood, PoolA New York man who killed a 7-year-old girl and her limo driver in a wrong-way drunk driving crash in 2005 was released on parole.Martin Heidgen, 43, was convicted of second-degree murder after the July 2005 crash that killed Katie Flynn, 7, and Stanley Rabinowitz, 59, on Long Island, according to reports fromNewsday,theNassau HeraldandNews 12 Long Island.News 12 reported that Heidgen had driven nearly three miles in the wrong direction before striking the limo head on.A spokesperson for the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision tells PEOPLE that Heidgen, who was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder as well as several other charges, was granted parole in August and was released from prison on Sept. 25.He had been sentenced to 19 years to life in prison, the spokesperson says.Katie’s mother, Jennifer Flynn, toldNewsdayin a statement that she hopes her daughter’s death will serve as a reminder not to drink and drive.“For a short time, our family had a profound impact on thousands of people,” she told the paper. “We asked that the public may know our sadness and feel our pain. Katie was murdered as a 7-year-old girl; where her murderer lives, imprisoned or paroled, makes no difference in our lives. We realize that our news cycle is over, but it is our hope that your readers think of us and that we influence their choices.”Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.News 12 reported that the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office opposed Heidgen’s parole bid. The outlet also reported a statement from Heidgen’s attorney, Stephen LaMagna.“Both Marty and his family are grateful to the parole board for recognizing that it is appropriate for Marty to be released on parole and allow him to re-enter society and become a productive and constructive member of our community,” LeMagna reportedly said. “He is and remains forever remorseful for all of the pain he has caused so many and continues to pray for them and their families.”

Martin Heidgen.Photo:AP Photo/Dick Yarwood, Pool

AP Photo/Dick Yarwood, Pool

A New York man who killed a 7-year-old girl and her limo driver in a wrong-way drunk driving crash in 2005 was released on parole.Martin Heidgen, 43, was convicted of second-degree murder after the July 2005 crash that killed Katie Flynn, 7, and Stanley Rabinowitz, 59, on Long Island, according to reports fromNewsday,theNassau HeraldandNews 12 Long Island.News 12 reported that Heidgen had driven nearly three miles in the wrong direction before striking the limo head on.A spokesperson for the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision tells PEOPLE that Heidgen, who was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder as well as several other charges, was granted parole in August and was released from prison on Sept. 25.He had been sentenced to 19 years to life in prison, the spokesperson says.Katie’s mother, Jennifer Flynn, toldNewsdayin a statement that she hopes her daughter’s death will serve as a reminder not to drink and drive.“For a short time, our family had a profound impact on thousands of people,” she told the paper. “We asked that the public may know our sadness and feel our pain. Katie was murdered as a 7-year-old girl; where her murderer lives, imprisoned or paroled, makes no difference in our lives. We realize that our news cycle is over, but it is our hope that your readers think of us and that we influence their choices.”Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.News 12 reported that the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office opposed Heidgen’s parole bid. The outlet also reported a statement from Heidgen’s attorney, Stephen LaMagna.“Both Marty and his family are grateful to the parole board for recognizing that it is appropriate for Marty to be released on parole and allow him to re-enter society and become a productive and constructive member of our community,” LeMagna reportedly said. “He is and remains forever remorseful for all of the pain he has caused so many and continues to pray for them and their families.”

A New York man who killed a 7-year-old girl and her limo driver in a wrong-way drunk driving crash in 2005 was released on parole.

Martin Heidgen, 43, was convicted of second-degree murder after the July 2005 crash that killed Katie Flynn, 7, and Stanley Rabinowitz, 59, on Long Island, according to reports fromNewsday,theNassau HeraldandNews 12 Long Island.

News 12 reported that Heidgen had driven nearly three miles in the wrong direction before striking the limo head on.

A spokesperson for the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision tells PEOPLE that Heidgen, who was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder as well as several other charges, was granted parole in August and was released from prison on Sept. 25.

He had been sentenced to 19 years to life in prison, the spokesperson says.

Katie’s mother, Jennifer Flynn, toldNewsdayin a statement that she hopes her daughter’s death will serve as a reminder not to drink and drive.

“For a short time, our family had a profound impact on thousands of people,” she told the paper. “We asked that the public may know our sadness and feel our pain. Katie was murdered as a 7-year-old girl; where her murderer lives, imprisoned or paroled, makes no difference in our lives. We realize that our news cycle is over, but it is our hope that your readers think of us and that we influence their choices.”

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

News 12 reported that the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office opposed Heidgen’s parole bid. The outlet also reported a statement from Heidgen’s attorney, Stephen LaMagna.

“Both Marty and his family are grateful to the parole board for recognizing that it is appropriate for Marty to be released on parole and allow him to re-enter society and become a productive and constructive member of our community,” LeMagna reportedly said. “He is and remains forever remorseful for all of the pain he has caused so many and continues to pray for them and their families.”

source: people.com