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NY Woman Pleads Guilty in Drug-Fueled Crash

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP/CBS 2) -- A Stony Brook woman has admitted being high on drugs when she struck and killed an 11-year-old girl crossing a Long Island street.

Courtney Sipes
Courtney Sipes (Handout)

Maureen Lambert pleaded guilty Monday in Suffolk County Court to charges including manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident and driving while impaired by drugs.

Courtney Sipes was killed while crossing a street in Smithtown on Nov. 24, 2009. Prosecutors say Lambert was driving 60 mph in a 30 mph zone.

Toxicology reports showed Lambert had a heroin byproduct in her system when she surrendered to authorities the following day.

A witness testified before a grand jury that he was with the defendant when she used heroin shortly before the crash.

The 21-year-old Lambert faces four to 12 years in prison. Sentencing was set for Dec. 8.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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