An off-duty firefighter pleaded guilty to multiple crimes including aggravated vehicular manslaughter, manslaughter and drunk driving in the fatal crash that killed a Westchester newspaper deliverywoman and seriously injured her former husband.
Erik Refvik faces up to 25 years behind bars in connecton to the crash in White Plains that killed Reyda La Madrid on Nov. 3. La Madrid's former husband Edgar Lopez was also seriously injured when their Honda was t-boned by Refvik's Chevrolet Tahoe, which pushed the couple's car the length of a football field afer the initial impact.
Authorities say that the White Plains firefighter had been drinking for 12 hours before the crash and had gone to at least four bars. Refvik, a four-year veteran with the department, had a blood alcohol content of .21 at the time of the crash and had also consumed cocaine, bath salts and other drugs.
"Today, as a result of his actions that night, this defendant has pled guilty to the most serious DWI charge in New York State and will face substantial time in state prison," said Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore.
Investigators think Refvik was driving near Post Road when he turned the wrong way onto on South Lexington Avenue. He t-boned the couple's car as they crossed South Lexington Avenue.
The Chevrolet Tahoe Refvik was driving continued on South Lexington Avenue after the crash, pushing the Honda about 200 feet down the road and trapping the couple inside. Refvik was speeding at the time of the crash.
La Madrid was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say she was in the back seat folding newspapers at the time of the impact.
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Refvik was suspended from his job without pay during the investigation. His current status with the department wasn't immediately clear.
Refvik will be sentenced in September.
La Madrid was an independent contractor for the Journal News' delivery firm.
