A man from Port Jervis has been sentenced to prison for a fatal accident caused by drunk driving. The tragic incident, which occurred in September 2023, led to the death of an 11-year-old girl who was a passenger in his car. The man, 36-year-old Yeraldo Roa, was sentenced in Orange County Court on December 20th after pleading guilty to Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree.
On the night of the accident, September 23, 2023, Roa was driving with a blood alcohol content of .20, which is more than twice the legal limit for driving. The crash took place around 8:30 PM on Route 6 in the Town of Woodbury.
Roa lost control of his vehicle and crossed the double-yellow lines, colliding with three oncoming cars before hitting a fourth car head-on. The crash resulted in the death of the 11-year-old girl who was in Roa’s car, and the other occupants of the vehicles were taken to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Following the crash, Roa and the young girl were rushed to Garnet Health Medical Center, where the child was later pronounced dead. The tragic loss of the girl’s life has sparked a renewed focus on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, a decision that led to the young victim’s untimely death. Despite the fact that Roa did not intend to cause harm, his decision to drive while intoxicated resulted in the tragic death of an innocent child.
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler spoke out after the sentencing, calling intoxicated driving deaths both senseless and preventable. He expressed his belief that Roa’s actions were a conscious decision to put the lives of both people he knew and strangers at risk.
“While this defendant no doubt did not intend to kill his young passenger, he nonetheless made a conscious decision to drive knowing that he was severely intoxicated and knowing that it would put the lives of people he knew and the lives of people he didn’t know, at risk,” Hoovler said. “Unfortunately, that consequential decision resulted in cutting far too short the life of the faultless victim.”
As a result of his guilty plea, Roa was sentenced to serve a prison term ranging from two and one-third to seven years. Roa admitted to driving under the influence at the time of the crash, and this sentence is a reminder of the severe consequences that can arise from impaired driving.
The crash and its aftermath have also underscored the importance of holding intoxicated drivers accountable for their actions. Roa’s decision to get behind the wheel while heavily intoxicated ultimately cost the life of a young child. It is a tragic reminder that such preventable deaths continue to occur, and it is a call for people to take the responsibility of safe driving seriously.
District Attorney Hoovler also expressed gratitude to the law enforcement and emergency services involved in the investigation and response to the crash. He thanked the New York State Police, particularly the Collision Reconstruction Unit, the Town of Woodbury EMS, and Hatzolah Ambulance Corp for their quick and professional work in the aftermath of the accident. Their efforts helped provide answers in a case that has left the community in mourning.
While no sentence can bring back the lost life of the 11-year-old girl, the outcome of this case serves as a reminder that drunk driving has real and devastating consequences. The sentencing of Yeraldo Roa is a step toward justice for the victim’s family and a message to others about the dangers of impaired driving.
This case has drawn attention to the ongoing issue of drunk driving in communities across the country. It highlights how such reckless behavior continues to take innocent lives and devastate families. As people continue to mourn the loss of the young girl, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of making responsible decisions when it comes to driving under the influence.
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Archer Bannister is a journalist with 4 years of experience covering hard-hitting stories. Currently working with Mikeandjonpodcast, Archer specializes in delivering timely and in-depth updates on a variety of topics, including crime news, politics, and national issues affecting the USA. His expertise and dedication to delivering accurate, impactful news make him a trusted voice for audiences seeking to stay informed on critical topics.
