Nassau County District Attorney: Massapequa Woman Sentenced To Up To 7 1/2 Years In Prison For Striking Elderly Pedestrians

Press release from the Nassau County District Attorney:

October 29, 2021

Joanne Dooher was driving with a blood alcohol concentration nearly three times the legal limit

Joanne Dooher was driving with a blood alcohol concentration nearly three times the legal limit

MINEOLA, N.Y. – Acting Nassau County District Attorney Joyce Smith announced today that a Massapequa woman was sentenced to up to seven and a half years in prison for striking and seriously injuring two elderly pedestrians while driving intoxicated at nearly three times the legal limit.

Joanne Dooher, 51, of Massapequa, pleaded guilty before Judge Robert Schwartz on July 20, 2021 to the top count charged of aggravated vehicular assault (a C felony); assault in the second degree (a D violent felony), assault in the third degree (an A misdemeanor), and aggravated driving while intoxicated. Dooher was sentenced today to three to seven and a half years in prison. NCDA recommended a sentence of five to nine years in prison. 

“Joanne Dooher was driving while grossly intoxicated – nearly three times the .08 threshold – and struck two elderly pedestrians who were simply trying to cross over Merrick Road,” Acting DA Smith said. “The innocent victims of this criminal driving will suffer the effects of the serious injuries they received for the rest of their lives. NCDA is committed to prosecuting the drunk, drugged, and reckless drivers who continue to endanger innocent people.”

Acting DA Smith said on July 31, 2020, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the defendant was driving while highly intoxicated, with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .22, when she crashed into two elderly pedestrians as they were crossing Merrick Road in Massapequa. A 93-year-old man suffered physical injuries and an 86-year-old female victim suffered serious injuries, including a broken pelvis.

Assistant District Attorney David Santana of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau prosecuted the case. The defendant is represented by Colleen Baktis, Esq.

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This press release was produced by the Nassau County District Attorney. The views expressed here are the author’s own.