Woman sentenced to state prison for vehicular assault

Danielle E. Conrad

ALBION – An Irondequoit woman who caused serious injuries to a Medina man after hitting him with her car during an argument was sentenced to state prison today.

Danielle E. Conrad, 38, pleaded guilty on Feb. 1 to second-degree vehicular assault for hitting a Medina man with her car on Sept. 7, and causing life-threatening injuries including a leg amputation. Conrad also pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated.

She was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison today.

Conrad did not address the Orleans County Court today during sentencing, but her attorney, Nathan Pace, said her main worry has been the welfare of the victim.

“There is a level of concern and regret I haven’t seen from anyone,” Pace told Judge James Punch. Pace said Conrad offered “the most sincere apology.”

Conrad is not a second felony offender, but does have an extensive criminal history, Punch said. She was on Probation on Sept. 7 when she committed the crimes.

Conrad registered a 0.17 percent Blood Alcohol Content on Sept. 7, more than twice the legal limit. Christopher M. Caldwell, 37, had been a passenger in a sedan operated by Conrad. At some point on Sept. 7 the two got into a dispute and Caldwell was dropped off on Harrison Road. Conrad drove off, but returned to pick up Caldwell a short time later, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department reported.

She drove past him at one point, then drove down the road and turned around. During all this time they were conversing with each other by cell phone, according to the police report.

Conrad drove down Harrison Road a second time and that time she struck Caldwell, the Sheriff’s Department reported. He was flown by Mercy Flight helicopter to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo.

In court on Feb. 1, Conrad said the victim jumped in front of her car. He had been walking by the side of Harrison Road, which she said didn’t have sidewalks.

“It was dark and I didn’t see him,” Conrad told Judge Punch on Feb. 1.

The judge issued an order of protection for Caldwell, and is requiring Conrad use an interlock ignition device, which measures her BAC, when she drives in the future.