SARATOGA COUNTY, NY – Richard T. Irelan, 45, of Johnstown, NY, received a sentence of 2 to 6 years in a state correctional facility today in Saratoga County Court. Presiding Judge James A. Murphy III handed down the sentence following Irelan’s guilty plea to Second Degree Vehicular Manslaughter, a class D felony.
The sentence is a consequence of a fatal incident that occurred on July 30, 2023, in the Town of Wilton. Irelan, while operating a Harley Davidson motorcycle, collided with a pickup truck on the Exit 15 I-87 southbound off-ramp. The collision led to the ejection and subsequent death of the passenger on Irelan’s motorcycle, who was treated at Saratoga Hospital.
New York State Police at the crash site concluded that Irelan was under the influence at the time of the accident. A blood test revealed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .09% and the presence of cannabis in his system. The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Troop G Collision Reconstruction Unit conducted the investigation.
During the sentencing, an emotional victim impact statement was delivered by the sister of the deceased, supported by her family. She highlighted the irreversible loss suffered by her family and the carelessness of Irelan’s actions.
District Attorney Karen Heggen commented on the case, emphasizing the severe consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. She extended her sympathies to the victim’s family and reaffirmed the commitment to seeking justice and accountability for such tragic incidents.