Brooklyn man sentenced to up to 9 years for fatal drunk driving crash

Brooklyn man sentenced to up to 9 years for fatal drunk driving crash

by
February 27, 2025

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A Brooklyn man was sentenced Thursday to three to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter for a drunk driving crash that killed a pedestrian in Cobble Hill, prosecutors said.

Erick Taxilaga Trujillo, 29, of Borough Park, was driving 72 mph in a 25-mph zone on April 16, 2023, when he ran a red light at Atlantic Avenue and Clinton Street and struck 31-year-old Katherine “Katie” Harris as she crossed the street, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.

Trujillo’s car then rear-ended another vehicle, sending both crashing into an outdoor dining shed. Harris was pronounced dead at the scene.

“This defendant made a disastrous decision when he got behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated. In doing so, he caused an innocent woman to be killed,” District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said.

Police said Trujillo had red eyes, slurred speech, and a blood alcohol level of .17—more than twice the legal limit of .08. He pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter on Jan. 27 and was sentenced by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Christopher Robles.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton

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