Orange County News
For Immediate Release Contact: Christopher Borek
Monday, February 07, 2022 845.291.3276, 845.238.4245c
District Attorney Hoovler Announces Guilty Plea in Vehicular Manslaughter Case
Defendant Pled Guilty In Connection To Fatal Car Crash While Under The Influence Of Drugs And Alcohol
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Thursday, February 3, 2022, Ebraheem Chowdhury, 24, of Elmont, pled guilty in Orange County Court to one count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, in connection to an August, 2020 car crash that killed a passenger while the defendant was operating the vehicle impaired by alcohol and marijuana. The Court adjourned the case after the plea for sentencing.
On August 25, 2020, the defendant was impaired by the combined influence of alcohol and marijuana when he drove his vehicle through a traffic circle and into a tree in the Town of Highlands. As a result of the crash, a twenty-one year old occupant of the defendant’s vehicle was killed. The New York State Police conducted an investigation into the crash and obtained a court order for a draw of the defendant’s blood. Analysis of the blood showed the presence of alcohol and marijuana.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation which resulted in the charges. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the New York State Park Police and the Town of Highlands Police Department for their assistance in the case.
“Alcohol and drug-related driving offenses make our roads a danger to all who use them,” said District Attorney Hoovler, “and law-abiding drivers must be protected from those who drive under the influence. This case stands as a stark example of the consequences of impaired driving. My office will continue to hold accountable those who drive impaired and will seek sentences commensurate to the terrible outcomes of these cases.”
Senior Assistant District Attorney David Byrne is assigned to prosecute the case.
A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.