Drunk Driver Convicted in Crash That Killed Long Island High School Grad

Brittney Walsh, 18, was driving home from work when her car was struck by a 2004 Nissan

A Long Island man has been convicted in a 2012 drunk-driving crash that killed a recent high school graduate, prosecutors announced Wednesday. 

Michael Grasing, 34, of Babylon, was convicted of felony aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter and other traffic violations but acquitted of the top count in the indictment, second-degree murder by depraved indifference.   

He faces up to 25 years in prison when he's sentenced. 

Prosecutors say Michael Grasing had a blood-alcohol reading four times the legal limit of 0.08 in the June 2012 crash in Lindenhurst.

Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota has said Grasing ran two red lights and was weaving in traffic before striking Brittney Walsh's car. Spota says Grasing was driving at speeds approaching 100 mph.     

Walsh's vehicle flipped multiple times, and the 18-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. 

He fled the scene of the crash, mowing down traffic signs and narrowly missing pedestrians before he slammed into a pole, proseuctors said. 

Walsh had just graduated with an advanced Regents diploma from Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School.     

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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