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Driver Of Fatal UWS Hit And Run Sentenced To 1-3 Years In Prison
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jun 8, 2011
Modified Jun 8, 2011
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jun 8, 2011
Modified Jun 8, 2011
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A woman who struck and killed a former nurse before attempting to flee the scene on the Upper West Side last November was sentenced to 1-3 years in prison, and may be released as soon as this November. Jessica Altruz, who hit 67-year-old Margaret Fisher as she was carrying groceries across West 93rd Street, told the Fisher family to "please accept my sincerest apologies from the bottom of my heart," the Daily News reports, "It was not my intention to flee the scene of the accident but rather an automatic response to fear."
Despite yelling "It was my light!" at the scene, Altruz pled guilty to manslaughter, avoiding a trial that could have resulted in the 24-year-old mother being sentenced to up to 15 years in jail. One of Fisher's brothers told the judge that the family had forgiven Altruz, saying "We recognize that this is a tragic event for everyone involved, most of all for our sister Margaret, who lost years of a happy and useful life. But we also recognize it's tragic for the defendant and her family as well."
Altruz has already served six months, and according to her attorney could be out in another six given that she has no prior criminal record, and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident. Her lawyer tried to argue for probation, but the judge said, "I'm not saying the defendant is a bad person, but she did a very bad and reckless thing."
Tagged
crime
hit and run
pedestrian hit
traffic accident
Upper West Side
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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