The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office obtained a state prison sentence for the Adams woman who killed Jerome Berard.

A Berkshire Superior Court found 60-year-old Debra Milesi guilty of motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of alcohol and operating negligently, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident – death resulting, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle on March 10, after a five-day jury trial.

On Wednesday, Judge John Agostini sentenced Milesi to serve four to five years in state prison and four years’ probation after.

The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office requested a sentence of three to five years on the motor vehicle homicide charge and two and a half to three years on and after on the leaving the scene of a personal injury accident – death resulting charge for a total of five and a half to eight years in state prison. The negligent operation charge is included in the motor vehicle homicide charge.

Defense Counsel requested a two and a half year sentence on the motor vehicle homicide charge and a concurrent one-year sentence on the leaving the scene of a person injury accident charge.

The state sentencing recommendations call for 40 to 60 months for the motor vehicle homicide and the leaving the scene charge carries a mandatory sentence of two and a half years.

“My heart goes out to the Berard family, who will continually mourn their loss and I hope this brings them a sense of satisfaction. Jeremy’s death was avoidable and this conviction holds the person responsible accountable,” District Attorney Andrea Harrington said. “I thank the Adams and State Police for their investigation into this tragic night and the jury for their diligent review of the evidence.”

In the early hours of September 29, 2018, Milesi hit the then 38-year-old Berard, who was standing outside of his vehicle on East Hoosac Street in Adams, with her car. Milesi then drove away before Adams Police stopped her.

Adams Police arrested Milesi, who was intoxicated. Adams Ambulance transported Berard to Berkshire Medical Center, where he later died.

Adams Police, Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit, Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section, Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis, and Reconstruction Section responded to the scene.

 

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