Nyack Woman Pleads Guilty After Fatal Hit-And-Run

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh, II, announced today that Elizabeth Mitchell, 45 of Nyack, New York, pleaded guilty to the indictment charging her with aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, vehicular assault in the second degree, leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death, leaving the scene of an incident resulting in serious physical injury, reckless driving, and driving while intoxicated.

Mitchell received those charges following an incident which happened on June 9, 2024, when she drove under the influence at close to 70 mph in a 30 mph zone, causing her to lose control of the car, run a stop sign, and crash into a metal barrier and fence. She then fled the scene, despite the catastrophic injuries sustained by the passengers, and never reported the crash. Ultimately, her reckless actions caused the death of the front seat passenger, Jahaad Muhammad, and seriously injured the rear passenger, Devonte Jones.

“The actions of the defendant on that day resulted in the death and serious injury of two passengers in her vehicle," District Attorney Walsh said. "Traffic laws are in place to protect all drivers and their passengers."

Walsh added that the defendant has multiple prior convictions for driving under the influence in California, one of which was another hit and run, and that she will now be held accountable for her reckless actions. 

The court sentenced Mitchell to 7-21 years' in state prison.