Drunk Driver Admits To Vehicular Manslaught In Death Of Student In Dutchess

Robert Dancy, 36, of Stamford, New York in Delaware County, entered a plea of guilty on Thursday, June 13 before County Court Judge Peter M. Forman, according to District Attorney William Grady.

Dancy’s conviction includes charges for first-degree vehicular manslaughter, a class C felony and the top count in the indictment, Grady says.

The victim, Emily Wootton, was a culinary student from Vermont and died at the scene.

“Dancy was heavily intoxicated, having a blood-alcohol content of more than two times the legal limit, while driving south on Route 9G in Rhinebeck on December 7, 2019, when he swerved across lanes of traffic and crashed head-on into the victim’s vehicle,” said Grady.

Sentencing is scheduled for Thursday, August 1. Officials say Dancy was advised that he could expect to receive anywhere between 3.5 years to 10 years in state prison.

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