A prominent Manhattan real estate developer allegedly involved in a drunken driving crash that killed his passenger last summer in Sag Harbor was arrested this week after authorities said they received a tip indicating he might flee the county.
Sean Ludwick, who was free on $1 million bond after pleading not guilty to upgraded charges of vehicular homicide earlier this month, was placed under arrest at his home Tuesday afternoon, Southampton Town police said.
His arrest came four days after detectives received a tip that Ludwick was in San Juan, Puerto Rico, “and was looking to purchase a boat and leave the country,” police said in a news release.
Based on the information, authorities deemed Ludwick a flight risk and notified U.S. Marshals and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, who issued a warrant for his arrest.
The 43-year-old is being held without bail before his next court appearance.
Ludwick was originally charged with driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident following the Aug. 30 crash. Authorities alleged that he slammed his Porsche into a telephone pole at 2 a.m., killing his 53-year-old passenger, Paul Hansen, of Sag Harbor.
During his initial court appearance, prosecutors said evidence suggested Ludwick dumped Hansen’s body near his home and drove away. Ludwick’s blood alcohol content was .18 four hours after the crash, police said.
Ludwick was arrested after police found him standing by his car.
Judge Fernando Camacho ordered Ludwick to surrender his passport. US citizens traveling to Puerto Rico are not required to present a US passport.
