How Many Years Can You Get for Aggravated Vehicular Homicide in New York?
In four independent completed New York City aggravated vehicular homicide prosecutions reviewed here, final prison terms ranged from 4 to 12 years to 8½ to 17 years. Each case involved different aggravating facts, so the figures are selected examples rather than a citywide average.
Quick Answer
- Independent completed cases: 4
- Lowest observed term: 4 to 12 years
- Highest observed term: 8½ to 17 years
- Locations: Brooklyn and Queens
- Classification: class B felony
See the New York hub, compare second-degree vehicular manslaughter and DWI injury outcomes, and review our methodology.
What Is Aggravated Vehicular Homicide?
Penal Law §125.14 combines reckless driving and second-degree vehicular manslaughter with an additional statutory circumstance, such as a blood-alcohol level of at least .18, a qualifying suspension or prior, multiple deaths, or a death plus serious physical injury. It is a class B felony.
Statutory Sentence
Penal Law §70.00 generally permits an indeterminate sentence for a class B felony with a maximum up to 25 years. Criminal history and the precise conviction structure matter. That ceiling is not an observed sentence.
Observed Cases
| Case | NYC conduct | Disposition | Final sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jorge Serrano | Fatal Long Island Expressway collision in Queens | Guilty plea to aggravated vehicular homicide; concurrent vehicular-assault term | 4 to 12 years on aggravated vehicular homicide |
| Tyrone Absolam | Rockaway Boulevard collision killed a mother and child | Guilty plea to aggravated vehicular homicide | 5 to 15 years |
| Brooklyn Belt Parkway defendant | Wrong-way drunk-driving collision killed one passenger and injured two | Guilty plea to aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated DWI | 7 to 21 years |
| Nicholas Thompson | Far Rockaway high-speed DWI crash killed a passenger | Guilty plea to aggravated vehicular homicide | 8½ to 17 years |
Case Sources and Allocation
Serrano received four to twelve years on aggravated vehicular homicide and a concurrent two-and-one-third-to-seven-year vehicular-assault term. Official source. Absolam received five to fifteen years after pleading to the target offense. Official source. The Brooklyn Belt Parkway defendant received seven to twenty-one years following a plea to aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated DWI; the release presents one overall prison term, so it is labeled as a combined plea outcome. Official source. Thompson received eight-and-one-half to seventeen years after pleading to aggravated vehicular homicide. Official source.
Methodology
Only final New York City prosecutions expressly identifying aggravated vehicular homicide were retained. Pending indictments and county cases outside the city were excluded. Combined plea outcomes are labeled rather than treated as isolated count allocations.
Sources
Disclaimer
General information only, not legal advice.