Man sentenced to State Prison on Vehicular Assault First conviction from head on crash seriously injuring one
Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy, III announced today that Jeffrey M. Davenport (DOB 2-22-89) of 640 Coy Road, Greenfield NY, was sentenced this morning to 1 and 1/3 to 4 years in a New York State Correctional Facility to be followed by a 3 year mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device for any vehicle that he drives (the 3 year time period begins upon his release from prison) along with a license revocation, for the crime of Vehicular Assault in the First Degree, a class D Felony, in violation of Penal Law Section 120.04 (1), in the Saratoga County Court and before the Honorable Judge Jerry J. Scarano.
The Defendant’s conviction arose out of a car crash involving serious physical injury that occurred on Middleline Road, in the Town of Milton, back on December 9, 2012. Davenport was heading northbound when he crossed over the center line on Middleline Road and crashed head on into another vehicle in the southbound lane of travel causing serious physical injury to the driver in the vehicle he hit. The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department responded to the crash scene and the victim was transported to Albany Medical Center for her injuries. Davenport was later determined to be operating his motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.18% – over twice the legal limit of intoxication.
The victim of the crash broke her back and in a powerful and moving statement to the Court detailed the horrific crash and its affect upon her life physically, emotionally and professionally. The victim recounted the pain of her injury, including the very real possibility that she would be paralyzed, as well as her hope that the Defendant would appreciate the pain that he has caused her and her family, and reflect upon the consequences of his behavior during his incarceration.
Assistant District Attorney Matthew Coseo, who prosecuted the case, commended the incredible strength of the victim who, while her condition is improving continues to deal with the long-term consequences of this crash and her injury, as well as the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department for their work on the case.
District Attorney James A. Murphy, III said “The differences between the Defendant and his victim could not be more striking. While the Defendant was on his way home from a night of partying and drinking, she was on her way to work at 5:00 am. While she continues to improve, it remains a true tragedy that such a hardworking, bright young woman had to suffer because of this Defendant’s criminal conduct. Incarceration in state prison was the only appropriate sentence for this Defendant and we commend Judge Scarano for imposing this sentence – continuing to enforce the message that drunk driving and causing injury will result in a prison sentence. We can only hope that this sentence will deter others in the future.”