NYPD Sergeant Now Faces Vehicular Homicide Charges In Deadly Off-Duty Taconic Crash

MOUNT PLEASANT, NY — A deadly drunken driving crash in Westchester County has led to a multi-count felony indictment against a disgraced NYPD sergeant, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The AG on Monday announced the indictment, arrest, and arraignment of 47-year-old Tiffany Howell, of Warwick, on the charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, and two counts of second-degree vehicular manslaughter.

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• Victim, Driver In Deadly, Wrong-Way, Head-On Taconic Collision Identified By New York State Police

On Jan. 22, Sergeant Howell drove her 2021 Infiniti while intoxicated and in a manner that caused the death of 61-year-old Manuel Boitel, according to the indictment. Howell was off-duty at the time of the crash.

At 11:37 p.m., Howell was driving south in the northbound lanes of the Taconic State Parkway at more than 50 m.p.h. when she crashed head-on into the 2024 Toyota driven by Boitel, according to the allegations by the AG. Boitel was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.

Howell was arraigned on Monday in Westchester County Court. Bail was set at a $250,000 bond, or a $500,000 partially secured bond, with a $100,000 cash alternative.

Howell is due back in court on March 18. The maximum sentence on the top count is eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.