SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY – Shawnet Earle, a 32-year-old Hempstead resident, has pleaded guilty to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Manslaughter, and other charges after causing the death of 60-year-old Blanche Pope in Wheatley Heights. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the guilty plea today.
On August 6, 2021, Earle was driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol with a suspended license when she veered off the road, striking and killing Pope, who was walking near her home. Earle’s blood alcohol concentration was found to be more than double the legal limit, with high levels of THC also detected. Earle is expected to be sentenced to four to 12 years in prison on May 24, 2023.
