Drunk Driver Who Killed Ossining Candidate Pleads Guilty

Driving drunk on the way to work, Michelle Sergio hit and killed John Mangialardi, who was putting campaign signs up on Route 9A on Sept. 3, 2013. 

John Mangialardi, an attorney, Briarcliff Manor resident, and Lieutenant Colonel in the 56th Brigade, N.Y. Guard, was running for Ossining town justice. He was 55. 

Today Westchester County Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that Sergio, 39, of 53 Eagle Ridge Way, Nanuet, pled guilty to the entire indictment that charged her with:

• two counts of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, class “D” Felonies
• two counts of Driving While Intoxicated, class “A” Misdemeanors

According to the DA, at 10:15 pm, at the intersection of Route 9A and Route 134, in the Town of Ossining, the defendant, on the way to work at a social service agency in Ossining, struck the victim as he was crossing Route 9A.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene shortly thereafter by responding EMTs.

Sergio was found to have a blood alcohol level of .12 at the time of this incident. Police initiated an accident reconstruction and the defendant was subsequently arrested.
 
Sentencing will be on Aug. 11. She faces a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison.
 
Assistant District Attorney Timothy Ward, Chief of the Career Criminal Bureau, is prosecuting the case.