Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Guilty Plea Expected In "Leadra's Law" DWI Case
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 10, 2010
Modified Aug 10, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 10, 2010
Modified Aug 10, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Last October, Carmen Huertas was driving a car packed with her daughter and her daughter's friends up the West Side Highway when she lost control and flipped the car over Besides many of the children being injured, 11-year-old Leandra Rosado died and it was discovered that Huertas' blood alcohol level was one-and-a-half times the legal limit. Now Huertas is expected to plead guilty to second-degree manslaughter today.
Huertas, 31 allegedly said during the drive, "Who thinks something's gonna happen? Raise your hand. Who thinks we're gonna get into an accident?" before overturning the car. Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Charles Solomon previously said if she pleaded guilty to the manslaughter charge, he would give her something in between the minimum of five years and maximum of fifteen years. Leandra's father told the Daily News, "If she gets under 10 years, for me it's not enough."
Huertas' lawyer, who previously argued for a lighter sentence and noted his client's past as an abuse victim, wouldn't comment on the rumored plea but said, "Carmen still struggles with the aftermath of that tragic night. She still mourns the loss of Leandra, and she mourns the fact that she has not been able to see her own children regularly since she’s been incarcerated." Leandra's death led to the state law, now known as Leandra's Law, that makes driving drunk with a child in the car a felony.
Tagged
Carmen Huertas
drunk driving
dwi
guilty plea
Leandra Rosado
leandra's law
west side highway
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYPD arrests and charges city schools employee in murder of Brooklyn jogger
The NYPD said it has charged Sayed Mohassib with murder.
By
Kaya Laterman
Published Nov 7, 2026 at 1:39 p.m. ET
Modified Nov 7, 2026 at 2:07 p.m. ET
Work is underway to replace deteriorating Newark Bay Bridge, a major NY-NJ route
The new bridge should be ready in 2031, with minimal disruption to commuters while it's being built, officials say.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Work is underway to replace deteriorating Newark Bay Bridge, a major NY-NJ route
The new bridge should be ready in 2031, with minimal disruption to commuters while it's being built, officials say.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Quest Diagnostics pays $13M to settle kickback allegations involving NY Giants tickets
By
Kaya Laterman
Person found dead with stab wounds in Queens building, NYPD says
By
Giulia Heyward
Amtrak's Penn Station plan could funnel taxpayer money to new venue for James Dolan
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .