Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Drunk Driver Who Killed Brooklyn Pedestrian Gets No Jail Time, $500 Fine
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Apr 9, 2014
Modified Apr 9, 2014
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
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Apr 9, 2014
Modified Apr 9, 2014
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
A drunk driver who fatally struck a 27-year-old woman in Brooklyn last July was issued a six-month license suspension, a $500 fine and three years probation, after pleading guilty to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. He was not charged with manslaughter.
According to Streetsblog, 26-year-old Eric Nesmith was handed the nominal sentence yesterday. The sentencing came just over nine months after Nesmith struck and killed 27-year-old Roxana Gomez while she was walking at St. Mark's and Flatbush Ave in Park Slope on the night of July 5th. Though FDNY first responders noted he was speeding at the time, and the NYPD reported he had a blood alcohol level of .126, Nesmith was not charged with manslaughter following Gomez's death. Brooklyn DA Ken Thompson told Streetsblog in January "that alcohol was not a contributing factor in the death of the pedestrian in this case."
Nesmith, who allegedly told cops he'd had "up to six Coronas" prior to getting behind the wheel that night, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, which carries a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and a year in jail. In addition to getting his license suspended, he will have an interlock ignition device placed in his car for six months.
Gomez, who was a native of Nicaragua, was a program coordinator for women's rights advocate group MADRE; she was also pursuing a graduate degree at Columbia University at the time of her death.
Tagged
brooklyn
eric nesmith
park slope
roxana gomez
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani says Trump will 'immediately' grant visa to Ghanaian mom of slain Bronx teen
Javits Frimpong, whose family is from Ghana, was walking to school Thursday morning when he was shot and killed.
By
Christian Santana
and
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 31, 2026 at 3:08 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 31, 2026 at 7:03 p.m. ET
Overflowing school in downtown Jersey City is hitting a crisis point, parents say
There aren't great options for relieving overcrowding at P.S. 16 in Paulus Hook. It's a consequence of a economic boom — and huge influx of residents.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Overflowing school in downtown Jersey City is hitting a crisis point, parents say
There aren't great options for relieving overcrowding at P.S. 16 in Paulus Hook. It's a consequence of a economic boom — and huge influx of residents.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Bronx e-bike fire that killed a boy has claimed 3 more lives, NYPD says
By
Amanda Rozon
Donald Trump looms over New York attorney general’s race
By
Jon Campbell
and
Walter Wuthmann
How formerly homeless New Yorkers are helping others get off the streets
By
Karen Yi
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 .