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Mother Of 3 Accused Of Driving Drunk, Causing Crash That Killed Couple In Westchester County

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A couple in their 80s were killed late last week in a head-on crash in Westchester County, and a mother of three is accused of driving drunk and causing the crash.

As CBS2's Brian Conybeare reported, police said Michelle Bonet of Greenburgh had a blood alcohol level of four times the legal limit at the time of the crash.

Michelle Bonet
Michelle Bonet is charged with driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a couple in their 80s in Hartsdale. (via Facebook)

The crash happened around 2:15 p.m. this past Friday along West Hartsdale Avenue in Hartsdale, according to Greenburgh police. A Tarrytown couple married for 58 years was killed – Carmelo Sbezzi, 80, and his wife Henrietta Sbezzi, 82.

Police alleged that Bonet dropped off at least one of her children at school and then got so drunk that she had a blood alcohol level of 0.35.

The Sbezzis' white sedan was demolished in the crash.
Sources said after dropping off the child at school, Bonet went to Mimi's Bar and Grill on Central Avenue in Hartsdale around 10 a.m. Friday.

After four hours of drinking, she allegedly got behind the wheel of a minivan, and only made it about half a mile before crashing and killing the Sbezzis, police said.

"The minivan was zigzagging on the road," said witness Mario Rios.

Rios was working on a roof nearby when it happened.

"I heard the brakes and somebody screamed, 'Help!'" he said.

Witnesses told CBS2's Conybeare the suspect's minivan was speeding around a curve, when it crossed the double yellow line and slammed into the couple's car. The crash happened with such force that both vehicles wound up in the woods, witnesses said.

"I was sitting in my living room and all of a sudden I heard a bang," said witness Ivan Schiff.

Schiff, a 30-year resident of the area, said the stretch of West Hartsdale Avenue where the crash happened is no stranger to accidents. But a mother with a blood alcohol level of nearly four times the legal limit at 2:15 p.m. is unfathomable, he said.

"It's a shame," Schiff said. "People, they speed on this road. We didn't think it was a drinking thing because it was early in the day, but you never know."

Brian Lawrence lives next door to Bonet on Stonewall Circle, and called her an "absolute sweetheart."

"She was always, always happy; very nice lady," Lawrence said. "It's a very big surprise, you know? I would not expect anything like that from her."

Police said it does not matter what time of day it is.

"Consuming alcohol or any other intoxicant and getting behind the wheel at any particular time -- intoxicants slow your judgment, and it's not a good idea," said Greenburgh police Lt. Frank Farina.

The victims' heartbroken family was too distraught to say anything Monday.

Bonet was also injured in the crash, but was expected to recover. She was in custody late Monday charged with vehicular manslaughter.

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