Driver sentenced in fatal crash

GOSHEN — A man who crashed a car in Goshen last November, killing his passenger, has been sentenced to state prison.

Andre Laquan Davis, 23, of Middletown, was given a term of 2 1/3 to 7 years in state prison by Orange County Court Judge Nicholas De Rosa on Thursday.

Davis pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicle manslaughter for driving after consuming vodka and marijuana.

According to the Orange Count District Attorney's Office, he had a blood alcohol level of .15 percent at the time of the crash.

According to town of Goshen police at the time of the accident, Davis was driving an Acura at about 6:40 p.m. on Route 17M when the car went off the road, rolled over and crash through fencing and into a large promotional chair at Hudson Valley Nursery.

Michael Cotten, 30, of Middletown, died of traumatic injuries after the accident pinned him inside the vehicle.

Davis was injured in the crash.

Speed was believed to have been a factor.

“The victim in this case lost his life because Andre Laquan Davis decided that driving while intoxicated was more important than the safety of his passenger and others on the road,” said District Attorney David Hoovler.

“Hopefully the State Prison sentence he received in this case, and the fact that he will forever have to live with the knowledge that he killed his friend, will deter some who are still tempted to drive while intoxicated. My office will continue to work with law enforcement, and our other partners such as Orange County STOP-DWI, to stop the senseless loss of life caused by those who place their desire to drink and drive above the safety of others. I urge anyone who is tempted to drink and drive to consider the consequences. If you are intoxicated, please find alternative transportation. If you have a drinking problem please seek help. Entirely too many families have been devastated by this crime.”

Hoovler commended Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher Borek for his handling of the case.

- Nathan Mayberg