An admitted buzzed driver dodged up to seven years in prison today when she plead guilty for losing control of her car, killing her pregnant friend and injured other passengers.
Denise Finley was driving “fast under unsafe weather conditions” with Dominique Jamison and four others home from a party when her SUV slipped over, landing in a marsh near Kennedy Airport on Dec 30, prosecutors said.
Everyone got out of the car except 25-year-old Jamison, who died from brain trauma and drowning.
“They were friends from their neighborhood, both families know each other, its a tragedy all around,” said Finley’s attorney, Robert DiDio, who said his client will be sentenced to 60 days in jail and released on Feb 7.
Finley, 32 of Arverne, admitted to detectives that she drank a cup of cranberry juice and vodka before driving.
The blood alcohol test results were unknown at the time of Finley’s arrest where she was originally charged with vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and without a license, according to court papers.
“I’m sorry,” said a tearful Finley when she plead guilty to third-degree assault and driving while impaired, her blood-alcohol level was slightly under the NYS legal limit of .08.
The maximum sentence for third-degree assault — a misdemeanor — is up to a year.
Jamison’s mother, Lenay declined to comment about the case outside of court.
A Queens judge will sentence Finley to a conditional discharge, three years probation and a $500 fine. She must also attend a drunk driving program, install an ignition interlock to her vehicle and attend a victim impact program for a year.