(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the guilty plea of Annmarie Donadeo to charges of Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree, after she drove while intoxicated and killed a pedestrian.
“This tragedy could have been avoided if the defendant didn’t drive drunk, period,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Instead, she chose to endanger Suffolk County residents through her selfish and senseless conduct and in the process caused the death of an innocent individual who was simply retrieving items from a parked vehicle.”
According to court documents, on August 24, 2021 at approximately 9:10 pm, the defendant was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer on Hawkins Boulevard in Copiague after drinking for approximately 4 ½ hours at a local bar. She drove southbound on the roadway as the victim, Travis Kinard, was getting Legos out of the rear of a parked minivan that was in front of his girlfriend’s house. Kinard was between the minivan and a parked Hyundai Elantra, when the defendant struck the Elantra causing him to become pinned between the two parked cars. The defendant’s vehicle continued a short distance before it became disabled. Kinard was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was pronounced dead as a result of the injuries he sustained from the collision.
When interviewed by police, the defendant exhibited signs of intoxication, made admissions to drinking alcohol, and performed poorly on field sobriety tests. A blood test was obtained from her at approximately 11:50 p.m. Subsequent toxicology testing revealed a .21% blood alcohol concentration. In addition to pleading guilty to Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree, the defendant also pleaded guilty to Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated.
This case was heard before the Honorable Judge Stephen L. Braslow. The Court is expected to sentence her to 4 to 12 years in prison. The defendant is due back in court for sentencing on February 15, 2023. She is being represented by Vincent Grande, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jacob Delauter of the Vehicular Crime Bureau.