Driver Gets Prison For DWI Crash That Killed Child In Woodbury

ORANGE COUNTY, NY — The repercussions of a driver's decision to drive while drunk will continue to be felt for years to come — especially for those who were injured and those who lost a loved one.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that 36-year-old Yeraldo Roa, of Port Jervis, was sentenced on Friday to two and one-third to seven years in prison after his guilty plea of first degree vehicular manslaughter.

Roa previously admitted that he was intoxicated when he caused the death of his 11-year-old passenger, after driving across double-yellow lines into oncoming traffic.

"Intoxicated driving deaths are as senseless as they are preventable," Hoovler said. "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. Unfortunately, that consequential decision resulted in cutting far too short the life of the faultless victim. Intoxicated driving is never ok, and we will continue to pursue those who choose to get behind the wheel of a vehicle in such a condition."

On September 23, 2023, around 8:30 p.m., Roa had a blood alcohol content of 0.20, which is more than twice the limit for a DWI. He drove his car across the double-yellow lines on Route 6, in the Town of Woodbury, striking three oncoming vehicles before crashing head-on into a fourth vehicle.

Roa and his 11-year-old passenger were taken to Garnet Health Medical Center, where the girl was pronounced dead. Occupants of the other vehicles were treated for injuries at St. Luke’s Hospital.

Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation and the arrest of Roa. The district attorney particularly thanked the Collison Reconstruction Unit of the New York State Police for their investigation and their assistance in the prosecution of Roa. In addition, he thanked the Town of Woodbury EMS and Hatzolah Ambulance Corp. for providing emergency treatment and transport to victims of the collision.

SEE ALSO:

• Port Jervis Man Pleads Guilty In Woodbury DWI Crash That Killed Child
• 1 Child Killed, Several People Injured In Multi-Car Crash In Woodbury