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Matthew Monthie, 29, of Clifton Park, was sentenced to three to 10 years behind bars in Albany County Court on Tuesday, March 4, following his conviction for manslaughter and related charges in the death of Shawna Marzhal.
Monthie was driving westbound on Route 85 in Bethlehem when he crossed over the center line and struck the 53-year-old Marzahl in the eastbound lane early on May 1, 2024, according to prosecutors.
Marzahl, of Selkirk, suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
Due to the impact of the crash, the vehicle directly behind Marzahl was struck by debris and sustained damage. The driver of the third car, a 20-year-old Slingerlands man, was unharmed.
Monthie was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital with what police described as non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators later determined that he was above the legal blood-alcohol limit, high on marijuana, and speeding over 100 miles per hour at the time of the crash.
Monthie was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and driving while intoxicated. In addition to the prison time, his license was revoked and he will be ordered to install an ignition interlock device in any vehicle he owns or operates after he is released.
During Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, Marzahl’s husband Dennis addressed the court and detailed every injury that his late wife suffered in the wreck, including broken ribs, a broken femur, broken tibia and fibula, broken vertebrae, and a severed spinal cord.
“This is the most selfish act I can ever think of, you make me sick to even look at you,” Mr. Marzahl told Monthie. “There is no room in this world for people like you. You deserve to be put away for life.”
Marzhal, who also leaves behind two children, was remembered by her daughter Victoria as a caring, passionate, and giving person who loved life and loved doting on her granddaughter. She was looking forward to taking her to Disney World soon.
“This was absolutely preventable,” Albany County Judge William Little said. “And now you’re going to have a lot of time to think about that.”
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