An NYPD sergeant who got into a fatal off-duty head-on collision driving the wrong way on a Westchester County parkway was arrested Monday after investigators determined her blood-alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit when she crashed, authorities said.
Sgt. Tiffany Howell, 47, is charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter in the Jan. 22 death of Manuel Boitel, 61, who was on his way home from work when he was killed, according to state Attorney General Letitia James.
Howell’s blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash was allegedly .26, a prosecutor, said in court. The legal limit is .08.
Howell, who faces up to 25 years in prison, was arraigned in Westchester Supreme Court. She plead not guilty and was released after posting $250,000 bond, authorities said. Andrew Quinn, Howell’s lawyer, had no comment.
Boitel’s wife, two sons and a daughter-in-law attended the arraignment.
“Today’s indictment marks a significant move toward accountability, though it cannot undo the tremendous loss this family still carries,” said the victim’s family lawyer, Jonathan Roberts. “No family should have to lay a loved one to rest because someone entrusted with public safety made the reckless decision to drive under the influence.”
Howell was driving her Infiniti south in the northbound lanes of the Taconic State Parkway in Mount Pleasant when she slammed into Boitel’s Toyota at about 11:37 p.m., James said. Howell was driving more than 50 mph, James added.
Medics rushed Boitel to Westchester Medical Center, but he could not be saved.
Boitel was returning home from his job as a doorman at Manhattan’s St. Tropez luxury condominium building on E. 64th St. near First Ave.
Howell had just left a “Holy Smoke 2026” cigar social she helped organize at Mom’s Cigar Warehouse in Scarsdale, according to NYPD sources. The social featured an open bar, buffet-style dinner and premium cigars.
Allison Stuart, a prosecutor in Tisch’s office, which investigates deaths in which police officers are involved, said video from the “social event” Howell attended showed her having several drinks and that she later left alone. She initially drove north on the parkway’s northbound lanes before reversing course and heading in the wrong direction, causing the crash, according to reports.
Howell after the crash was taken to the same hospital as Boitel but with non-life-threatening injuries.
Howell is an 18-year veteran of the NYPD. She was assigned to the juvenile strategies unit, which is part of the Office of Crime Control Strategies and lives in Warwick, Orange County, nearly 50 miles from the scene of the crash.
Shortly after the incident she was placed on desk duty, with no shield or gun, but a week later was suspended 30 days without pay. She was again suspended after her arrest Monday.
Boitel had when he was younger talked of becoming a cop and was a big fan of law enforcement.
“The irony is that he regularly donated to funds supporting police officers, as he always dreamed of becoming one himself,” family members said of Boitel in a GoFundMe created after the crash.
One Boitel’s sons, Marvin Boitel, said he would remember his dad as amazing man who “helped me become the man I am today.”
“He was a jack of all trades,” the son said shortly after the crash. “He helped me learn maintenance stuff. He knew how to fix anything, and if he didn’t he would find a way to figure it out. Anytime I’m fixing stuff around the house I feel closer to him because he taught me how to do it.”
“It doesn’t matter what time we needed to talk, it doesn’t matter where he was, whether at work or just coming home from work,” he added. “If something was bothering my brother or me, he would be there, rush home from work to help us.”
