Newburgh Woman Admits Smoking Cocaine Before Fatal Crash

NEWBURGH, NY — A Newburgh resident admitted in court that she caused the death of a local surgeon in the town of Cornwall In October 2021.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said Ezzial Williams, 38, of Newburgh, pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree vehicular manslaughter.

She entered the plea before a jury trail was scheduled to begin.

Hoovler said, under the plea agreement, Williams will be sentenced to three and one-half to seven years in prison, which is the maximum permitted under law, when she is sentenced on April 25.

Prosecutors said Williams was driving on Route 32 in the town of Cornwall Oct. 10, 2021, above the speed limit, when she crossed over the double yellow line and crashed into a car being driving by a local vascular surgeon.

Police said the surgeon was killed in the crash.

Prior to getting behind the wheel, Williams had smoked cocaine, some of which was recovered from a crack pipe found in her belongings after the crash.

In court, she admitted she was impaired by the drug at the time of the collision, was speeding and crossed over the double yellow line and recklessly caused the surgeon’s death.

Hoovler said that drugged driving is a deadly choice.

“Incidents such as this one are not accidents,” he said, “they are serious crimes and perpetrators need to be held accountable.”