An Albany man who fled from police in October in a stolen SUV and struck a Voorheesville driver who later died pleaded guilty to manslaughter today in state Supreme Court in Albany County.
Jacob Hooper, 30, of 159 Sheridan Ave., faces up to 15 years in prison at his March sentencing on the second-degree manslaughter charge, a class C felony, according to a news release from District Attorney David Soares.
Albany police officers witnessed Hooper committing several traffic infractions the night of Oct. 30 while driving the stolen vehicle. Police attempted to make a traffic stop, but Hooper fled, speeding through several red lights and stop signs.
As Hooper sped through the intersection of Main and Western avenues at nearly 90 mph, he crashed into a sedan being driven by 62-year-old David Concordia. The man, who sustained massive head injuries from the crash and died at Albany Medical Center two days later, had a green light when Hooper’s vehicle struck him. Concordia’s 19-year-old son, Patrick, was in the passenger’s seat and received minor injuries.
“This tragic set of circumstances resulted from the reckless actions of Mr. Hooper,” said Soares in the release. “The lives of the victims’ families are forever changed by the choice this defendant made to steal a vehicle and drive at an obscenely reckless speed of almost 90 miles per hour on a city street where this victim was driving his son home from a basketball game.”
In addition to prison, Hooper will face court fees and restitution for any uninsured expenses at his March sentencing.
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Categories: Schenectady County
