Carmen Huertas, 31, was charged with vehicular manslaughter and DWI. According to police, Huertas was traveling at a speed of 80 mph when she lost control of her vehicle carrying several children, including 11-year-old Leandra Rosado who was the only fatal victim in the crash. |
NEW YORK (WPIX)—
A Queens mom - accused of driving drunk and causing a crash that killed an 11-year-old girl - pleaded not guilty from her hospital bed Wednesday.Carmen Huertas, 31, was arraigned via video link between a Manhattan courtroom and Elmhurst Medical Center. She was indicted on charges including manslaughter, assault and driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with the Oct. 11 crash, which resulted in the death of 11-year-old Leandra Rosado.
Huertas was reportedly crying throughout the whole process as she sat handcuffed in her wheelchair at the hospital.. A judge ordered her held on $250,000 bail.
Prosecutors said Huertas drank large amounts of cognac at a birthday party in Chelsea before eight children - including her daughter and 14-month-old son - piled into her 1998 Mercury Sable around 12:30 a.m. Five of the children were reportedly not buckled into their seats.
Leandra, who was in cardiac arrest when medical personnel arrived, was rushed to St. Luke's Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Huertas was reportedly driving 68 mph in a 50 mph zone when she lost control of her vehicle on the Henry Hudson Parkway. Three children were ejected onto the shoulder of the road.
Huertas had a blood alcohol level of .132, which is way above the state's .08 legal limit. She suffered a broken shoulder.
