Photos: YouTube\Video Screenshots
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the guilty plea of former New York City Police Department (NYPD) Sergeant Tiffany Howell, 48, of Warwick, Orange County, for causing the death of Manuel Boitel while driving the wrong direction with blood alcohol content of at least 0.18 on the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester County on January 22, 2026.
Howell pleaded guilty today to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a class B felony) and Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a class C felony) before Judge Anne B. Bianchi in Westchester County Court.
Judge Bianchi continued bail at a $250,000 bond, or a $500,000 partially secured bond, with a $100,000 cash alternative. Howell is due back in court for sentencing on October 28, 2026. The judge stated that she will sentence Howell to four to 12 years in prison. Howell waived her right to appeal.
At 11:37 p.m. on January 22, in Westchester County, Sergeant Howell was driving south in the northbound lanes of the Taconic State Parkway at more than 50 mph when she crashed head-on into the car driven by Mr. Boitel, causing his death. Sergeant Howell had blood alcohol content of at least 0.18 at the time. Mr. Boitel was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
