SARATOGA COUNTY, NY – Justin P. Rodriguez was sentenced on Thursday to a maximum term of 22.5 years in state prison for causing the death of Alex Bleickhardt on September 15, 2022.
Saratoga County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III handed down the sentence, which includes 12.5 to 25 years for Aggravated Vehicular Homicide and a consecutive 10-year sentence for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.
Rodriguez was found guilty in July after a three-week trial. The charges included multiple counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Manslaughter in the Second Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Additional charges were dismissed at sentencing as they were lesser included offenses.
Evidence presented during the trial showed Rodriguez, who had four prior DWI convictions, was driving recklessly on I-87 in Wilton. He rear-ended a box truck at 76 mph, resulting in Bleickhardt’s death. His blood alcohol concentration was measured at 0.26%, more than three times the legal limit, and he also had cocaine and cannabis in his system.
Rodriguez was also found to be in possession of a loaded semi-automatic pistol. As a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing firearms. District Attorney Karen Heggen stated that justice had been served for Bleickhardt and his family.