Drunk driver sentenced for causing deaths of Mayo couple in New York

A MAN in New York has pleaded guilty to drink driving and causing a crash that claimed the lives of Mayo man John Heneghan and his wife last May.

John Heneghan (33), along with his wife, Caitlyn Holtzman (32), were travelling to a wedding in New York when a pick-up truck smashed into their car as it was stopped at a red light, killing them instantly.

Three passengers who were with the couple suffered injuries.

At court in recent days in Saratoga County, New York, the truck driver, 59-year-old Dickie Winn admitted he was drunk and driving recklessly in his Dodge Ram jeep when he crashed into the couple’s car.

Winn, who had a blood alcohol reading twice the legal limit, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide in return for a promised sentence of six to 19 years in prison. He could otherwise have faced a sentence of 25 years.

The plea agreement also calls for restitution and for Winn to use an ignition interlock device, which requires the driver to blow into a mouthpiece on the device before starting a vehicle.

Winn, who served in the US Army for nearly 30 years and did several tours of duty, was ordered to surrender his driver’s licence and will be on probation for three years on release.

John Heneghan, who had lived in the States for a number of years, married Caitlyn from Pennsylvania in 2016.

Following the tragedy earlier this year the couple’s ashes were brought to Tourmakeady for a private interment.