Connecticut man acquitted in Long Islander's Interstate 95 death
A Connecticut man has been acquitted of vehicular manslaughter in the November 2014 drunken driving death of a Long Islander killed while aiding a stranded motorist.
Jose Sierra-Velasquez, 30, of Stamford, was acquitted Tuesday by a state judge following a three-day trial, the Stamford Advocate reported.
Sierra-Velasquez was convicted of driving drunk in the November 2014 crash. He could face up to a year in jail on the DUI charge at his January sentencing.
Investigators said Velasquez was driving a friend's car up the southbound on-ramp at Exit 7 on Interstate 95 when he collided into a stalled vehicle that was involved in an earlier crash.
The impact of the collision sent Derian Garaicoa-Ortega, 18, who was helping the driver of the stopped car, flying 48 feet. He died of blunt force trauma. Garaicoa-Ortega had recently graduated from Glen Cove High School.
Keeping the summer vibes alive after Labor Day From Long Beach to the North Fork, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday Deputy Lifestyle Editor Meghan Giannotta have ideas on how to hold onto the summer vibes after Labor Day.
Keeping the summer vibes alive after Labor Day From Long Beach to the North Fork, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday Deputy Lifestyle Editor Meghan Giannotta have ideas on how to hold onto the summer vibes after Labor Day.
