Van Driver Convicted In Deadly NYC Sidewalk Crash

NEW YORK (AP) -- A construction van driver has been convicted of manslaughter in a New York City sidewalk crash that killed a pregnant woman a few blocks away from the Empire State Building.

A Manhattan jury delivered its verdict Wednesday in Keston Brown's trial.

Prosecutors said the grocery-store repairman was drunk and distracted by a passenger's antics when his work van veered onto a sidewalk in March 2009, killing Ysemny Ramos and her unborn child. A friend walking with her was hurt.

The 28-year-old Brown acknowledges he was drinking before the wreck. But he said he lost control of the van because its engine abruptly failed.

Brown wasn't hurt in the crash.

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