INTOXICATED NYACK WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ALL COUNTS AFTER LEAVING THE SCENE OF FATAL ACCIDENT
Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh, II, announced today that Elizabeth Mitchell, 45, of Nyack, New York, pleaded guilty to the entire indictment charging her with aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, vehicular assault in the second degree, leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death, leaving the scene of an incident resulting in serious physical injury, reckless driving, and driving while intoxicated in exchange for the court’s promised sentence of 7-21 years’ in state prison. At the time of her plea, the District Attorney's Office recommended the maximum sentence of 8 1/3-25 years' in state prison. Mitchell is scheduled for sentencing before the Honorable Djinsad Desir on July 22, 2025.
On June 9, 2024, Mitchell drove drunk at speeds nearing 70 mph in a 30 mph zone causing her to lose control of her car, run a stop sign, and crash into a metal barrier and fence. She then fled the scene, despite the catastrophic injuries sustained by the passengers, and never reported the crash. Ultimately, her reckless actions caused the death of the front seat passenger, Jahaad Muhammad, and seriously injured the rear passenger, Devonte Jones.
District Attorney Walsh said, “The actions of the defendant on that day resulted in the death and serious injury of two passengers in her vehicle. Traffic laws are in place to protect all drivers and their passengers. The defendant has multiple prior driving under the influence convictions from California, one of which included a hit and run. She will now be held accountable for her actions. I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased victim and the continued recovery to the injured passenger.”
The case was investigated by the Orangetown Police Department. Supervising Assistant District Attorney Meghan Garvey and Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Dugandzic prosecuted the case.
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