SCHENECTADY — In a recent court hearing, a Scotia resident was handed down his sentence in relation to a fatal drunk driving incident that occurred last autumn, as reported by the Schenectady County District Attorney’s office.
Gregory Mitchell, a 32-year-old man from Scotia, had previously entered a guilty plea to a single count of aggravated vehicular homicide among other charges.
The charges stem from a tragic accident on October 21, which resulted in the death of his passenger, 47-year-old Jacqueline McCole, also a resident of Scotia.
The court handed Mitchell a sentence ranging from 6 to 18 years in state prison, according to the prosecution.
Mitchell confessed to operating his vehicle under the influence of both alcohol and drugs when he collided with an unoccupied vehicle on Eastern Avenue, as per the authorities.
Video footage from the county’s surveillance system and local businesses captured Mitchell and McCole departing a local Schenectady bar shortly before the fatal accident, the prosecution revealed.
Footage showed Mitchell staggering to his vehicle, then driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street and stopping at a green light, according to the prosecution.
He then turned onto Eastern Parkway, accelerating his speed. Eyewitnesses reported him speeding and driving down the center of the road, the prosecution added.
Mitchell subsequently crashed into a parked van, propelling it approximately 30 feet until it struck a pole. The impact resulted in McCole’s immediate death.
Mitchell was rescued from the wreckage and transported to Albany Medical Center, where a blood sample was taken. The sample revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.17 and traces of marijuana, the prosecution stated.
Upon searching his vehicle, police discovered a half-consumed bottle of liquor and a device for smoking marijuana, the prosecution added.
The charge of aggravated vehicular homicide was due to McCole’s death, Mitchell’s reckless driving, his intoxicated state, and a previous alcohol-related traffic violation within the past decade, the prosecution explained.
McCole, a mother of three and grandmother of five, was remembered by her family in court.
During the sentencing, McCole’s sister, two daughters, and mother shared heartfelt memories of McCole, describing her as a woman who embraced life and radiated joy, the prosecution shared.
“One of her daughters expressed her sorrow that their mother will not be there to walk her down the aisle or witness her grandchildren grow up,” the prosecution quoted from a statement. “On the day she died, McCole had taken a selfie and sent it to her mother. Her mother proudly displayed that picture as she spoke.”
The case was prosecuted by County Court Bureau Chief Nicolaus B. McDonald and Assistant District Attorney Marlena Moreno. Mitchell’s legal representation was attorney James Knox, with Judge Matthew Sypniewski presiding.
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Agree
Agree – It’s important for those responsible for causing harm while driving under the influence to face consequences.