Port Jervis Man Pleads Guilty In Woodbury DWI Crash That Killed Child

ORANGE COUNTY, NY — A man who was more than double the legal limit when he caused a crash that killed a child, has admitted to his crimes.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that 35-year-old Yeraldo Roa, of Port Jervis, pleaded guilty in Orange County Court last week to first degree vehicular manslaughter. Roa previously admitted that he was intoxicated when he caused the death of an 11-year-old girl, who had been a passenger in the car Roa had been driving.

On September 23, 2023, around 8:30 p.m., Roa had a blood alcohol content of 0.20. He drove his car across the double-yellow lines on Route 6, in the Town of Woodbury, striking three oncoming vehicles before crashing head-on into a fourth vehicle.

Roa and the 11-year-old passenger were taken to Garnet Health Medical Center, where the girl was pronounced dead. Occupants of the other vehicles were treated for injuries at St. Luke’s Hospital.

SEE ALSO: 1 Child Killed, Several People Injured In Multi-Car Crash In Woodbury

"Deaths such as this are as preventable as they are tragic," Hoovler said. "My deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the family and loved ones of this exceptional girl, who lost her life because someone made a conscious decision to drink and drive. This defendant no doubt did not intend to kill his young passenger, but he made a conscious decision to drive knowing that he was severely intoxicated and knowing that it would put the lives of people he knew, and the lives of people didn’t know, at risk. He chose to do so anyway."

Roa is scheduled to be sentenced on December 20.

The DA thanked the New York State Police for their investigation and the arrest of the defendant. He particularly thanked the Collison Reconstruction Unit of the New York State Police for their investigation and their assistance in the prosecution of Roa. In addition, Hoovler thanked the Town of Woodbury EMS and Hatzolah Ambulance Corp. for providing emergency treatment and transport to victims of the collision.