Press-Republican

Local News

August 10, 2009

Willsboro man pleads not guilty in fatal crash

<img src="/homepage/images_image_276103054" alt="&#149;">&nbsp;&nbsp;Willsboro man charged after Jan. 1 accident that killed local woman

ELIZABETHTOWN — A Willsboro man accused of causing his passenger's death in a one-car crash in Essex pleaded not guilty to all charges Monday morning.

Ryan R. Bruno, 25, was indicted by a county grand jury for felony second-degree vehicular manslaughter and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08 percent.

Keshia B. Pierce, 23, of Willsboro, a front-seat passenger in Bruno's car, was killed on impact in the 4:30 a.m. crash on Jan. 1.

An autopsy determined cause of death was multiple blunt-force trauma that included severe head injuries.

Bruno was arraigned before Judge Richard Meyer, who released him on his own recognizance with conditions. Bruno must report to the County Probation Department once a week and must reside with his parents in Willsboro while the case is pending.

Bruno, who is represented by County Public Defender Livingston Hatch, had previously been released on $5,000 cash bail.

The next hearing in the case is set for Oct. 13. County District Attorney Julie Garcia told the court her office is ready for trial.

Bruno was driving on Catholic Church Road near Route 22 in Essex when he lost control of his car, which then ran off the road and flipped over into a tree that smashed the vehicle's roof.

Police allege that Bruno was driving his 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse too fast for wet and slushy road conditions at the time of the crash.

Police said Pierce was a friend of Bruno's sister and that he was giving her a ride.

A blood test at the hospital after the crash showed Bruno had a 0.11 blood-alcohol level, police said.

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
New Today
  • Recovery Center to open next week

    Smashing stereotypes and eliminating the stigma of mental-health issues has led to formation of a new place in Franklin County for clients to get wrap-around services to help them rejoin the community.

    Posted: 2 hours
Local News
  • Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts

    The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 7:22 am 1 Photo 1 Link
  • One injured in Plattsburgh house fire

    A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:28 am
  • Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart

    Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:28 am 1 Photo
  • Love between the lines

    Dr. Nell Irvin Painter of New Russia and Plattsburgh State's Dr. J.W. Wiley share historical and current viewpoints on interracial loving, American-style.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:28 am 2 Photos
  • NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition

    NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 11:17 am 4 Photos 1 Slideshow 1 Video
  • Cheerleading photos (2/12/12)

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 6:23 am
  • Tentative contract reached with officers

    The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.

    Updated Feb 13, 2012 7:21 am 1 Link
  • Lookback: Feb. 13-19

    News stories from around the region from 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago this week.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:28 am 1 Photo
  • Of Interest: Feb. 13, 2012

    Peru Central School Board to hold budget discussion; Dannemora to discuss highway post; Beekmantown School Board invites budget input; Willsboro School Board to discuss policies; Chazy School Board to discuss budget; SLCS Board to appoint clerk pro-tem; Keeseville Zoning Board cancels meeting; Elizabethtown-Lewis School Board to work on budget.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:28 am
  • Gourds' shapes create interesting canvas

    Georgette Bacon's gourd art is on display through March 10 at Foothills ARTSociety in Malone.

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 2:26 am 3 Photos
  • February 12, 2012
  • NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition

    NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 9:09 pm 4 Photos
  • One injured in Plattsburgh house fire

    A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.

    Updated Feb 12, 2012 6:36 pm
  • Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart

    Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 3:47 pm 1 Photo
  • Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts

    The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 2:54 pm
  • Tentative contract reached with officers

    The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 2:54 pm
  • Attempted-murder trial set

    The case against Robert J. McCann, who is charged with trying to kill his former girlfriend at a secluded Westville site, begins Tuesday in Franklin County Court.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 2:28 am 1 Photo
  • A historic battle for interracial marriage

    Forty-five years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all remaining state bans on interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia.

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 2:28 am 3 Photos
  • Fireworks to close weekend carnival

    The final day of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is filled with activities and events. INCLUDES VIDEO

    Updated Feb 12, 2012 7:14 am 6 Photos 1 Video

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up
Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight 'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48 Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party 79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room