Woman Indicted on Fatal Long Island DUI Charges

One of the most bizarre and tragic DUI crashes in Long Island has finally led to an indictment. A young woman visiting from Georgia is now facing serious consequences for a fatal crash she allegedly caused while intoxicated. While fatal DUI crashes are unfortunately quite common on Long Island, the specific circumstances of this accident seem almost unbelievable. What can you do if you were injured in a Manhasset DUI?

Drunk Driver Stole Officer’s Car and Sandwich After Killing Senior 

In June of 2024, a New York judge indicted a 21-year-old woman on charges of second degree manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving under the influence. If convicted on all counts, she could face decades in prison. The young woman was visiting Long Island from Georgia when she struck a senior’s car on Sunrise Highway. The impact killed the 64-year-old and severely injured her passenger.

While certainly shocking, an incident like this is unfortunately quite common on Long Island. What is particularly strange about this incident, however, is what happened after the crash. Under unclear circumstances, the suspect commandeered an officer’s vehicle and escaped the crash scene. Not long afterward, the authorities found her sitting in the vehicle. According to reports, she was found wearing the officer’s jacket and eating his sandwich.

It seems as though the suspect communicated with officers before making her escape. During these interactions, it was determined that the suspect did not have any alcohol in her system. However, officers found a quantity of marijuana in her crashed vehicle – which was enough to justify DUI charges. At some point during this interaction, the suspect seems to have slipped away and stolen one of the police vehicles.

The suspect has pleaded not guilty, which might seem unthinkable given the heinous nature of her crimes. However, one must remember that DUI marijuana allegations are quite difficult to prove in many cases. This is because marijuana can stay in someone’s system for up to a month after initial consumption.

The Burden of Proof is Lower in Civil Courts 

In criminal courts, the burden of proof is quite high – and prosecutors must prove a defendant’s guilt “beyond reasonable doubt.” This could be quite difficult in the case of a marijuana DUI. However, the burden of proof in civil court is lower, and plaintiffs must only establish negligence with a “preponderance of evidence.” This means that a drunk driver could potentially escape criminal consequences for a fatal crash, but still experience civil consequences.

If your loved one was killed in a Manhasset drunk driving crash, it might be worth holding them accountable in civil court. If the defendant has escaped criminal charges, this could be the only way to achieve justice and closure. You can also recover compensation for funeral expenses, unpaid medical costs, lost wages, and emotional distress.

Key Takeaways 

• Drunk drivers may experience both criminal and civil consequences for fatal crashes
• The burden of proof for civil cases is lower than that of criminal cases
• Civil lawsuits can provide justice when criminal action fails

Find an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Manhasset 

Although DUI crashes in Manhasset can be tragic, there is no need to sit back and accept the financial consequences. Whether a drunk driver injured you or someone you love, legal action is always possible. The New York personal injury lawyers at Cohan Law, PLLC can guide you toward effective outcomes – and we can hold negligent parties accountable in civil court. Book your consultation today to discuss your options for personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits.

Source:

nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/woman-long-island-deadly-sunrise-highway-dwi-crash-massapequa/5477065/