Sara Burack Remembered as Beloved Realtor Killed in Tragic Hamptons Hit‑and‑Run

22 June 2025

Sara Burack, pictured here in 2023, has died. She was 40. (Photo by David Warren/Sipa USACredit: Sipa USA/Alamy Live News)

Sara Burack, a vibrant 40‑year‑old real estate agent and Netflix alum known for her role on Million Dollar Beach House, was tragically struck and killed in a hit‑and‑run on June 19 in Hampton Bays, New York. Her remains were found near the Villa Paul Restaurant on Montauk Highway just before dawn, and she passed away later that day at Stony Brook University Hospital after suffering critical head trauma and other severe injuries.

The driver, 32‑year‑old marine biologist Amanda Kempton from Virginia, was arrested on June 20 following a state-wide manhunt. In Southampton Town Justice Court on June 21, Kempton pleaded not guilty to a Class D felony count of leaving the scene of a fatal accident. The court set her bail at $100,000, secured by family collateral, amid concerns that she had fled the scene and was planning a trip to Virginia to attend a wedding.

Kempton’s defense claimed she believed she had struck a traffic cone due to foggy conditions and poor visibility. Though she admitted her vehicle showed damage and that she discovered Burack’s bright pink suitcase lodged beneath the front bumper later, she maintained she had no knowledge of striking a person when she left the scene. Kempton’s attorney emphasized that alcohol was not a contributing factor.

Investigators say Kempton was identified through license‑plate reader technology, which tracked her damaged vehicle to her family’s Manorville home. Prosecutors, however, described her as a flight risk, especially given her plans to leave the state, and argued she should have remained at the scene to render aid.

Burack was a well‑known figure in the Hamptons and New York luxury real estate market. She gained broader recognition through her appearance on Netflix’s 2020 show Million Dollar Beach House, which followed agents navigating multimillion‑dollar listings. Colleagues remember her as a generous, grounded professional who balanced her high‑stress career with personal warmth and community engagement .

Friends like Paulette Orlando‑Corsair shared that Burack was “compassionate, hardworking and dearly loved,” describing her tragic final moments when she was found unconscious and later placed on life support after suffering cardiac arrest. Orlando‑Corsair lamented that police had not kept the family adequately informed during the investigation.

The New York State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit and Southampton Town PD are continuing their investigation. Authorities urge anyone with information or witnessing details to come forward as part of their active probe.

Kempton faces up to seven years in prison if convicted, though sentencing would reflect whether the court classifies the charge under a four‑year or five‑year felony threshold. Her release pending trial remains conditional and closely monitored.

The story has deeply affected local communities in the Hamptons and Manhattan, where Burack had lived and worked. Her life was rooted in both luxury markets and local roots, transitioning from her family’s commercial construction business into becoming a top broker in high‑end real estate. She also made her mark with fundraising efforts and charity work, traits her peers frequently highlight .

Amid widespread condolences, her colleagues stress that this is not just a high‑profile incident but a stark illustration of the broader issue of pedestrian safety. Breezy summer nights and rural stretches of roadway especially under foggy conditions pose real hazards to both drivers and walkers.

Local authorities have signaled a renewed focus on Montauk Highway, calling for improved lighting, reflectors, and road redesigns to prevent further tragedies. The community silence that followed earlier iterations of similar incidents now gives way to collective calls for action. “We don’t want another family to go through this,” one local advocate told press outlets.

As legal proceedings move forward, both sides prepare for a serious courtroom battle. Prosecutors are assembling a case emphasizing the hit‑and‑run charge and Kempton’s decision to leave the scene. Defense attorneys are constructing an argument around genuine mistake, lack of intent, and potentially mitigating weather conditions.

But beyond legal strategy, this tragedy underscores systemic challenges: how do busy roads, unpredictable weather, and growing traffic intersect with pedestrian vulnerability and what responsibility do drivers have when those conditions converge?

Sara Burack’s life and death have triggered a cultural reckoning that extends far beyond her moment in the spotlight. From Hamptons opulence to courtroom drama, her story reminds us that rare intersections, celebrity, tragedy, justice can galvanize communities to act. If her passing leads to safer streets or more thoughtful driving, perhaps her legacy will include not only luxury deals but also lives saved.

In the days ahead, communities across Long Island and New York City will remember Burack’s kindness and calling and push for changes that might prevent future heartbreak.