Former Police Officer Charged with Manslaughter in Drunk Driving Crash

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WNYC Newsroom
WNYC News | Sep 8, 2010

A former city police officer pleaded guilty to a charge of vehicular manslaughter, after he struck and killed a woman in Brooklyn while driving drunk. Immediately after he pleaded guilty, the former officer, Andrew Kelly approached the father of the victim, Vionique Valnord, and they shook hands.

Sanford Rubenstein, attorney for the Valnord family, said they are pleased.

"The family believes the important part of this plea of guilty to a felony, is that he accepted responsibility for what he did. That was what was important to this family," Rubenstein says.

Sentencing for Kelly will be later this month, but the judge says the former cop will serve 90 days in jail, and will be on probation for five years.  He'll also complete an alcohol rehabilitation program.

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