A New York woman whose blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was nearly three times the legal limit when she caused a fatal crash in Jersey City has been charged with the death of one of her passengers. 

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced that Amanda Rivera, 28, of Staten Island, will face charges of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree reckless manslaughter, and fourth-degree assault by auto. 

Manslaughter, of course, is among the most serious charges that can be filed against an individual. We urge anyone alleged to have committed a violent crime to call the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or contact us here. 

Factors in the Fatal Crash 

The accident occurred on February 3, 2024, just after 12:30 a.m., on Route 185 near the Linden Avenue East intersection. According to the criminal complaint, Rivera's BAC was 0.215—more than double the legal limit of .08. Additionally, she was driving on the shoulder of the road at a speed of 67 mph in a 40-mph zone when her Nissan sedan slammed into the back of a parked and unoccupied tractor-trailer. 

Stephanie Weymouth, 31, of Bayonne, was in the backseat of the car when the collision occurred and was pronounced dead shortly after EMS transported her to Jersey City Medical Center. 

Rivera and her front-seat passenger, a 27-year-old woman from Old Bridge, were also taken to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. 

If convicted of manslaughter, a crime of the first degree, Rivera could be sentenced to 10 to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000. It's also possible that Weymouth's family could bring a wrongful death suit against Rivera, although they have not spoken publicly about this possibility. 

A Life-Changing Tragedy for All Involved 

Everyone knows that driving while impaired after having used any drug, including alcohol, can end with devastating consequences. And yet, so many American drivers continue to get behind the wheel when they ought not to. Knowing that you are the sole cause of a fatality is going to be a hard pill to swallow, but what's done is done. All you can do at this point is try to make whatever amends you can, set your sights on the future, and commit yourself to being better. 

Here's where the Criminal Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can be of invaluable assistance. They will work with you to mitigate the consequences of your actions so that you can begin taking steps toward changing your ways. Do so by filling out the contact form here or calling 888-535-3686 to start straightening out your future.