A Poughkeepsie driver has been sentenced in the death of 25-year-old Bard College graduate student Linh Hong Nguyen.
Nguyen was walking on a sidewalk in Red Hook at 10:24 p.m. May 25, 2024, when she was struck by a 2017 Ford Fusion and killed.
The car was traveling south on North Broadway/Route 9 near Cherry Street when the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and hit Nguyen.
The driver of the car, Rohan Patrick, 42, of Poughkeepsie, pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in March. On June 17, he was sentenced in Dutchess County Court to 364 days of incarceration.
“Today’s sentence reflects the defendant’s failure to meet the basic duty of care required under the law and aligns with the standard for criminal negligence,” Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi said in a statement. “While no legal outcome can undo this tragedy, we hope this step toward accountability offers some measure of comfort to those who loved her.”
Patrick admitted to driving drowsy and struggling to stay awake for at least 30 minutes prior to the deadly crash, and failing to recognize the risk that he would fall asleep at the wheel. Patrick also admitted to traveling at speeds of 50-60 mph in a 30 mph zone.
At the time of the crash, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office said Patrick, who was not injured, remained at the scene and was cooperating with the investigation.
“This has been a heartbreaking case from the very beginning,” Parisi said. “The loss of Linh Hong Nguyen — a bright, compassionate young woman — has left a void that cannot be filled.”
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Poughkeepsie driver sentenced in crash that killed Bard College student Linh Hong Nguyen
Reporting by Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal / Poughkeepsie Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
