On January 21, 38-year-old Ithaca resident Robert J. DeFelice pleaded guilty to the Class B felony of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide after striking two girls with his vehicle, resulting in the death of 14-year-old Sophia Nickerson on July 21, 2021.
DeFelice admitted to driving recklessly while under the influence of cocaine with a blood alcohol content of .18%, more than twice legal limit, according to the Ithaca Voice. The maximum possible sentence is eight and two thirds to 25 years in New York State prison.
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