The woman convicted in a fatal hit and run that claimed the lives of two Bard College students learned her fate Tuesday in court. Michael Howard was in Dutchess County Court for sentencing and has the details.
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- Holding pictures of her daughter, Sandra McCausland, tried to hold back her emotions in court Tuesday afternoon, remembering the night she was told her daughter was killed.
In January of last year, police say 64-year-old Carol Boeck was driving drunk, nearly three times the legal limit down route 9G in Tivoli, when she struck and killed Sarah McCausland, 19, and her friend Evelina Brown, 20, both Bard College Students seen here in this Facebook photo.
“If not for those brave students Ms. Beck would of left both Evelina and Sarah to die alone on the side of the road in that cold dark night," said Patrica Martin, Evelina Brown’s mother.
Boeck took off after hitting and killing the two girls.
A short time later she was arrested at a gas station, her vehicle, investigators say, was damaged. One of the girl’s cell phones was found on the bumper.
“Boeck has shown no remorse, no emotion and even pleaded not guilty," said Sarah McCausland's father.
The January incident wasn’t the first time Boeck was arrested for driving drunk.
Tuesday, she admitted to the crime, taking a plea of seven to 21 years in prison for aggravated vehicular homicide, and 2 1/3 to seven years for leaving the scene. She will serve both concurrently.
“I want Evelina’s and Sarah’s family members to know how sorry I am,” said Carol Boeck.
“Every single person who enabled Carol in this behavior is responsible,” said Sandra McCausland.
The judge denied Boeck parole, meaning she will serve at least seven years in prison.