Carol Boeck, who had already pleaded guilty to the hit-and-run deaths of two students at nearby Bard College, was sentenced Tuesday to seven to 21 years in prison in an emotional hearing.
Boeck, 64, admitted that she had been drinking before the accident, which occurred just prior to midnight on Jan. 31, 2014. She had planned on sleeping in her Jeep, but changed her mind because of cold weather. Not long after, she hit a group of Bard College freshmen, killing Sarah McCausland, 19, and Evelina Brown, 20, as well as injuring a third student.
She said she knew that she had hit something, but never even saw the pedestrians.
Boeck fled the scene, but was taken into custody soon after based on a description of her vehicle given by witnesses. Her blood-alcohol content was found to be 0.23%, nearly three times the legal limit.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1.4 million drunk driving arrests are made every year in the United States.
The presiding judge, Stephen Greller, said that he would recommend Boeck never be granted parole. “There is no question in my mind you would repeat your actions,” he told her.
Community Impact
Greller also said he had received 93 written victim impact statements prior to Tuesday’s proceedings, and observers said he was visibly moved by the narrative of families and communities devastated by the loss of the young women.
Eight people spoke at the hearing, including siblings and parents of the deceased.
Nathaniel Brown, Evelina’s father, directed his comments directly to Boeck. “You were able to watch your daughters blossom into adults,” he said. “I do not have that chance. You took that from me.”
In addition to the seven to 21 years Boeck will serve for vehicular homicide, she was sentenced to between two years, four months and seven years for leaving the scene of a personal injury automobile accident, also a felony. Pursuant to her plea agreement, the sentences will be served concurrently.
