$10,000 reward offered in hit-and-run-death of Binghamton University student

Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger today announced a $10,000 reward is being offered by Binghamton University and the city of Binghamton to anyone who has information that leads to the successful closure of the hit-and-run accident that killed 20-year-old Stefani Lineva, a spirited and vibrant Binghamton University student and member of the University’s tennis team.

“The Binghamton University community suffered a tragic loss this weekend when Stefani died as the result of a hit-and-run accident,” Stenger said. Binghamton Police are investigating, with assistance from the Broome County Sheriff’s Office and New York State University Police at Binghamton.

The accident occurred at approximately 2 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in the eastbound lane of Route 434, the Vestal Parkway, near the intersection of South Washington St. and the Pennsylvania Avenue ramp. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Binghamton Police Detective Bureau at 607-772-7080.

“Somebody must have seen something,” Stenger said. “And that’s why you offer a reward. Somebody knows something. The investigators are turning over every single stone at the scene and we’ll work closely with the Binghamton Police Department to help them with any information they need.

“We hope someone in the community has some information that can lead to the successful conclusion of this case,” Stenger added.

Stenger spoke with Binghamton Mayor Rich David this morning. The University has pledged $5,000 of the reward from an endowed fund for student emergency services. The city of Binghamton has pledged the other half of the reward. “Stefani was as much a citizen of Binghamton as she was a student here,” Stenger said. “She’s our child.”

Lineva transferred to Binghamton after spending her first two collegiate years at Adelphi University as a member of the Panthers tennis team. She was the Northeast-10 Rookie of the Year in 2014-15 after going a combined 31-6 in singles and doubles, including a 22-1 record against conference opponents. She earned all-conference laurels in both singles and doubles. In spring 2016, Lineva played the top singles spot and provided the clinching point as Adelphi captured its first-ever conference championship.

In the classroom, Lineva was a four-time selection for the Northeast-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. She planned to major in psychology and pre-med.

A native of Middle Village, N.Y., she graduated from Forest Hills High School, where she was runner up in the PSAL singles championship as a senior.
“Stefani was a bright and talented young woman who embodied the exceptional spirit of being a student-athlete at Binghamton,” said Patrick Elliott, director of athletics. “Our sincere condolences go out to her family, friends, teammates and fellow student-athletes.”

“Stefani was an exceptional teammate who had personal relationships with so many people on our team and across the University,” head tennis coach Libby McGovern said. “She loved being at practice with her friends and was always the first one to volunteer when we performed community service. She had very high aspirations of making a difference in the world and doing great things for other people. We are heartbroken.”

The University is providing support to Lineva’s family and counseling and services to her teammates and others. “The greatest impact is to a group of students we have reached out to,” Stenger said. “We have faculty and staff who are working with these students to accommodate them as we end the semester and give them extra time to prepare if needed, on an individual basis.”

There are not yet any details about services. “We’re all still struggling with this almost impossible loss,” Stenger said. “We will plan a service at the most convenient time for those closest to Stefani, but it may not be for a while so we can make it as meaningful as possible.”