Slain N.J. Minister’s Son Forgives Allegedly Drunk Driver: Report

Essex County, NJ – The son of a slain West Orange minister forgives Amy Dell, but can she forgive herself?

The New York woman will spend eight to 25 years in prison for killing 58-year-old Bruce Ham, an Essex County resident,father of three and ordained minister, multiple reports said.

Dell, 33, of Rome, was allegedly intoxicated and headed the wrong way on I-81 when she crashed her Ford Escape into Ham’s Lexus sedan in May of 2015, NJ.com stated.

• See related article: West Orange Man Killed in Fatal Central New York Car Crash

A New York jury convicted her of aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges on May 31, Syracuse.com reported.

Prosecutors said during trial that Dell was bar-hopping before the fatal crash and reportedly collapsed in front of a local bar before refusing help and getting behind the wheel.

During Dell’s Monday sentencing, Ham’s son, Paul, said that he has forgiven her for his father’s death. Ham added that his father – a blue-collar South Korean immigrant who ran a laundry business despite having a Master's in Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in California – was the best man that he ever knew.

Dell sobbed throughout the sentencing hearing and said that she needed help, Syracuse.com stated. She reportedly promised never to drink again and apologized profusely to the victim's family.

A tearful Dell apologized prior to being sentenced, stating that she was deeply sorry for her mistakes, very poor choices and actions.

"I will do absolutely everything I can to turn my life around in a positive way," Dell said.

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