Driver Who Killed Rollerblader Gets 15 Years In Prison

BROWNSVILLE, NY — A man convicted of fatally striking a rollerblading college student with his vehicle in Brooklyn was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday.

Terrance Smith, 39, was ordered to prison for killing 21-year old Michael Joefield who was skating on the road at the time, the Brooklyn DA said. The defendant's vehicle was recorded traveling at 97 miles per hour when it hit Joefield, according to the DA.

He was convicted of first degree manslaughter.

"This defendant intentionally turned his vehicle into a weapon and senselessly killed a promising young man. His actions placed many others in danger that night and caused additional injuries," said DA Eric Gonzalez. "We will never tolerate this type of criminal and deadly behavior on our roads."

On the night of April 8, 2017, the defendant was driving his car near Glenmore Avenue and Powell Street, in Brownsville, and got into a fight with his partner in the front seat. He threatened his boyfriend by saying, "I'm going to crash this b—h, I'm going to kill us," according to the Brooklyn's DA Office.

The defendant then accelerated down the street and struck Joefield. The defendant didn't stop and continued to speed down the street, hitting several stopped cars, including a taxi cab with an eight-month-pregnant woman and her toddler, said prosecutors.

The mother lost her unborn child, the DA's office said. The crash also left the cab driver with injuries to his neck and head and the toddler also suffered injuries from broken glass, according to prosecutors.

The defendant was then seen exiting his car near Junius Street, leaving his injured partner in the passenger seat of the vehicle. The defendant was found a short time later trying to hide under nearby scaffolding in the area, according to the DA's office.

The defendant blood alcohol content was .22 — three times higher than the legal limit for driving, the DA's office said.