Firefighter charged in fatal wrong-way DWI crash

NEW YORK - An off-duty firefighter is charged in connection with a wrong-way crash in suburban New York City that killed a mother of three, reports CBS New York.

The 47-year-old woman, who worked as a newspaper deliverer, died while making her rounds early Monday in White Plains, about 30 miles north of New York.

White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong says the woman's car was hit by another vehicle, driven by an off-duty White Plains firefighter, and which was heading north in a southbound lane and apparently going very fast. The firefighter suffered facial injuries and bruises in the crash.

CBS New York identifies the firefighter as 34-year-old Eric Refvik and says he had a blood alcohol level of 1.45 at the time of the crash, which is nearly double the legal limit.

According to the station, Refvik, a four-year veteran of the White Plains Fire Department, is expected to be arraigned at Westchester Medical Center on charges of criminal negligent homicide and DWI.

According to the Journal News, Refvik has a prior DWI conviction. He reportedly pleaded guilty in 2003 following an arrest in Manhattan and was spared probation and jail, but was ordered to participate in an alcohol treatment program.

The Journal News says the victim in the crash - Reyda LaMadrid - was an independent contractor for Publisher's Circulation Fulfillment. The firm delivers the Journal News.

An assistant distribution manager tells the paper LaMadrid was in the car with her husband, 48-year-old Edgar Lopez, who helped with her route. He suffered serious injuries.