Story by Reporter Eloize
Carlos Green, 44, of Irvington, NJ was sentenced to 14 years for striking and killing Billy Ray Dudly, 54, of East Orange.
Dudley, a pedestrian, was struck and killed in Irvington after falling in the street. Green was under the influence of alcohol while driving a 2003 Cadillac Escalade at a blood alcohol content of .210 percent.
The Escalade continued for approximately one block when several pedestrians told the driver to return to the scene. While searching the car, police found a partially empty bottle of rum in the SUV. Green was transported to University Hospital where a blood sample was drawn and results showed a blood alcohol content of .210 percent. Green had told police he had two or three drinks that night.
The defendant was transported home by Irvington Police from University Hospital without being placed under arrest. Later, Green was issued summonses for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and driving while intoxicated within 1,000 feet of a school.
Green was charged and convicted with first-degree vehicular homicide.
Green possessed prior DWI convictions that were debated to be admitted at trial, which delayed the case. The appeals court did not allow the prior convictions in trial.
“This was not an accident. After the prior DWI convictions this defendant was aware of the harm posed. Yet, he continued to get behind the wheel and drive drunk. The outcome of this case is a painful reminder of the consequences of this kind of deliberate, willful disregard for the law,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Brian Pollock, who tried the case on behalf of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
