Mom Sentenced In Flanders Crash That Killed Daughter, 4: DA

FLANDERS, NY — A mother who was charged with felony vehicular manslaughter after driving while impaired by drugs in a January crash that killed her daughter, 4, was sentenced in Riverhead Thursday.

According to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney, Amy Wesolowski, 34, appeared before Judge Richard Ambro and was sentenced to one to three years in jail. Assistant District Attorney James Curtin had recommended 2 1/3 to 7 years in jail, Tierney's office said.

Wesolowski, was initially charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs after a Jan. 13 crash that killed her daughter Gracelyn was indicted and arraigned on upgraded charges in March, according to online court documents.

Wesolowski was charged with one count of felony vehicular manslaughter, child passenger killed; one count of felony aggravated DWI with a child, or Leandra's Law, first offense; one count of driving while ability impaired by drugs; a misdemeanor; one count of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor; and one count of third-degree unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, online court documents said.

Gracelyn Jane Perkowski died on January 16 after being critically injured in the crash on Flanders Road, according to New York State Police.

According to New York State Police, at 11:40 a.m. on Jan. 13, Southampton Town Police received a call regarding a crash on Flanders Road.

Wesolowski was driving a 2005 Toyota RAV4 with her daughter Gracelyn when the car collided with a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan driven by Sonya Fezza, 29, of Water Mill, police said.

Wesolowski was initially arrested and held for morning arraignment, police said.

According to Newsday, at her sentencing Wednesday, Ambro told Wesolowski the sentencewas “simply a token," adding, “You’ve already sentenced yourself to have to live with this the rest of your life."

Newsday also reported that Curtin said Wesolowski had abused a prescription amphetamine before the crash; she apologized in court, according to the post.

Both drivers were taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment and have been released; the child was taken first to Peconic Bay and then to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition, police said.

Officials said Southampton Town Animal Control Officer Colleen Kidd, "quickly sprang into action" and helped to save the little girl's life. Neighbors also reportedly rushed to the scene to help the child. She was transported to the hospital by Flanders-Northampton Volunteer Ambulance, who continued work tirelessly to resuscitate her.

She later died at the hospital, police said.

After Gracelyn died, many came together with fundraisers to help her father John Perkowsi and sister Kinley.

A heartbroken community has also mourned her loss: "Gracelyn was a rainbow on a cloudy day. Her smile could light up a room and her giggle could warm even the coldest of days," Rose Horton, director at St. David's School, told Patch. "Her classmates, teachers and all of the St. David's community will forever remember Gracie. I know that losing her has left a permanent mark on my heart. We will continue to pray for her family during these unimaginable times."