An Irishman and a woman have been killed by an alleged drunk driver in a two-vehicle crash in upstate New York.
Three other people who were travelling in their car were taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
New York State Police have charged the driver of the other car with Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, two counts of Vehicular Manslaughter and Driving While Intoxicated.
58-year-old Dickie R. Winn of Cohoes, New York was remanded in custody after appearing in court this morning.
Dickie Winn, 58 of Cohoes, leaves court after being charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular manslaughter in connection with last night's Route 9 double fatal car accident. pic.twitter.com/1jC9MEfwOQ
— Erica Miller (@EricaPhotog) May 26, 2019
Police said his vehicle left its lane and struck the other car while it was waiting at a red light to travel in the other direction.
The Irishman has been named as 33-year-old John A. Heneghan, while the woman has been 32-year-old Caitlyn J. Holtzman – both with addresses in New York.
Mr Heneghan is from County Mayo.
Meanwhile, the three people who were injured have been named as 24-year-old Julia Staples, 25-year-old Luke O’Doherty and 25-year-old Enda Crowley.
They are being treated at the Albany Medical Centre.
Dickie Winn, 58 y/o of Cohoes, pleads not guilty at Clifton Park town Court, after being charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular manslaughter in connection with last night's Route 9 double fatal car accident. pic.twitter.com/gYz0TOdkCp
— Erica Miller (@EricaPhotog) May 26, 2019
The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance to the family.
Mr Winn is due to appear back in court on Wednesday, May 29th.
