Bail Set For Woman Charged In Deadly L.I. Wreck

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A 21-year-old Rockville Centre woman arrested in a deadly drunken driving incident told a court Monday that she'd had just one alcoholic drink before the crash that took the life of her friend and passenger.

As CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan reported, college student Asya Ulmer hung her head and trembled as she was led to court Monday, accused of driving while under the influence of alcohol and second-degree vehicular manslaughter.

The deadly crash at 5:50 a.m. Sunday killed Ulmer's passenger – Jennifer Alexis, 21 of Bayside, Queens.

"The news came suddenly my brother was sleeping. He just got up. The police were here," said the victim's uncle, Alex Cesar. "They told him she was dead; died in a car accident."

Ulmer and Alexis became friends after working together at a Macy's cosmetics counter. Both attended community college.

They were allegedly out partying when Ulmer slammed her BMW into a parked tractor trailer on North Center Avenue. Alexis was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspect's family came to court, where Ulmer was arraigned Monday. She was ordered held on $20,000 bond.

"She's inconsolable. She is distraught," said defense attorney Frederick Brewington. "Just imagine not only being locked up, but losing a friend who was in the car with you."

In court documents, Ulmer appeared to blame the victim.

"My friend told me to turn and I didn't want to. She grabbed my arm, and i turned the wheel," Ulmer allegedly said. "I had one Long Island iced tea."

A long island iced tea usually contains vodka. gin, tequila, and rum all together. The charge said Ulmer was in an intoxicated condition, but results of her blood alcohol test have not been completed.

Neighbor Brett Childs lives across from the Alexis family.

"You take your keys and you decide to drive leaving a party -- a split second decision," Childs said. "You have to take precautions before that, to make sure you have somebody who can drive you safely."

Alexis' parents and brother remained in seclusion. A family member said Alexis' pride and joy was her tabby cat.

The judge ruled that Ulmer may keep her driver's license until toxicology reports are finalized. She faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

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