Drunk driver sentenced to three to nine years after collision kills woman in Bay Ridge

A 21-year-old drunk driver was sentenced to three to nine years in prison on Thursday, June 29 for causing a fatal car crash on the Belt Parkway near the 65th Street and Fourth Avenue exit.

Staten Island resident Joseph Auteri was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter back in May, according to Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

According to the investigation, Auteri — who had four passengers in his car — was driving his car along the Belt Parkway in the left lane on November 8, 2015 at around 6:30 a.m. when he sped up before crossing multiple lanes of traffic in an attempt to reach the exit.

As the car approached the exit, it struck the guardrail, flipped over and ejected the woman who was occupying the front seat.

Auteri and the passengers in the car were rushed to NYU Lutheran Medical Center, where the front seat passenger was pronounced dead.

Reports indicate that Auteri had a strong smell of alcohol on his breath. His blood alcohol level was .11, over the legal limit.

“What started as a night out with friends ended tragically, costing one woman her life,” said Gonzalez. “Three other passengers were lucky to survive. The defendant made a terrible decision when he got behind the wheel while drunk. He has now been held accountable for his actions.”