Guilty Plea by JESSICA BELLEROSE in DWI Manslaughter; killed Paige Ahearn
Her party-time on the highway was death time for teenager
ALBANY, NY- District Attorney P. David Soares announced March 16, 2017, that JESSICA BELLEROSE, 41, of Troy, pleaded guilty to (1) Count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C Felony, (1) Count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class D Felony, and (1) Driving While Intoxicated, a Misdemeanor, before the Honorable Thomas A. Breslin in Albany County Supreme Court.
On October 11, 2016, at approximately 6:43 P.M., BELLEROSE recklessly drove a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix while intoxicated on Alternate Route 7 in the Town of Colonie. BELLEROSE passed multiple vehicles, eventually sideswiping a Subaru in the right-hand lane. BELLEROSE then drove into the center median and her car became airborne. Upon landing, the vehicle crashed into the front driver’s side of another car being driven in the westbound lane by Paige Ahearn, age 18. The crash killed Paige instantly and caused injuries to the passenger in that vehicle.
Blood test result revealed that BELLEROSE was operating the vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .14 percent. BELLEROSE also admitted to drinking throughout the day. BELLEROSE faces up to 7 years in State Prison when sentenced on May 11, 2017. BELLEROSE will also be ordered a term of 3 years of Probation upon release from custody with the requirement for installation of an Interlock Ignition Device.
BELLEROSE will also be ordered to repay restitution, pay fines and surcharges, and be subject to a driver’s license revocation for a minimum of 6 months upon release from custody subject to Department of Motor Vehicles guidelines. Vehicular Crimes Unit Bureau Chief Mary Tanner-Richter and Assistant District Attorney David Szalda are prosecuting this case.
Ahearn, Paige Alexis WATERFORD Paige Alexis Ahearn, 18, of Second Street died suddenly on Tuesday, October 11, 2016, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. A Waterford native she was a 2016 graduate of Waterford-Halfmoon High School. Paige was employed at Beautique Salon in Halfmoon. She had graduated in June from Waterford-Halfmoon High School where she was a member of the softball and basketball teams, the cheerleading squad as well as having served on the student council. She was an animal lover and rescuer and enjoyed the outdoors. Her infectious smile brought joy to everyone she came in contact with. Survivors include her parents, Colleen M. O’Connell, John M. Ahearn and Shannon M. Liporace. She is the granddaughter of Alice A. Parissi and the late Mark V. O’Connell; and great-granddaughter of Rita Parissi. She is the niece of Auntie Michelle Corcoran (Christopher) and Jeanine Tefft (Jacob). Also surviving is her boyfriend, Damien DeMayo as well as several great-aunts, great-uncles and cousins. A memorial Mass will be Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Sixth and Division Street, Waterford. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Relatives and friends may visit at the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad St., Waterford on Friday from 4-8 p.m. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204. To express your sympathy or share a treasured memory, visit: Brendesefuneralhome.com