Police arrest suspect in hit-and-run death of student

Binghamton Mayor Rich David today announced at a news conference that 26-year-old Aizaz Siddiqui, a Binghamton resident not affiliated with the University, has been arrested in the hit-and-run death of 20-year-old Stefani Lineva, a spirited and vibrant Binghamton University student and member of the University’s women’s tennis team.

Siddiqui is expected to be arraigned at 3 p.m. today in Binghamton City Court on charges of leaving the scene of a personal injury accident resulting in death, a Class D felony.

“This is an important step in the investigation,” Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger said. “However, the campus community continues to mourn the tragic loss of Stefani. Our thoughts remain with her family, teammates and friends during this very difficult and emotional time.”

David and Binghamton Chief of Police Joseph Zikuski spoke at the news conference, both recognizing and thanking the dozens of members of the city police force who worked around the clock for the past several days.

“Many of our men took it personally,” said David. “Stefani was not only a representative of the University community but of the Binghamton community as a whole. All of our resources went into the investigation.”

“Our entire University community is appreciative of the work that City of Binghamton Police have put into this case and grateful for the outpouring of support from the local community,” Stenger said. “Our New York State University Police at Binghamton will continue to provide any assistance necessary to the Binghamton Police as the investigation continues.”

Stenger on Monday had announced a $10,000 reward would be offered by Binghamton University and the city of Binghamton to anyone with information leading to the successful closure of the investigation. Since then, the reward has tripled with pledges from the local community.

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.

David and Zikuski asked anyone with additional information to contact the Binghamton Police Detective Bureau at 607-772-7080. “There are still people out there who haven’t come forward and we hope they will,” Zikuski said. “The investigation is ongoing.”

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.

The University continues to provide 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.”

“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.”