Man admits to vehicular assault in Milton crash

PHOTOGRAPHER: Stephen Williams

A Greenfield man accused of being drunk when he caused a head-on collision in December that resulted in serious injuries has admitted a felony charge and is expected to get state prison time.

Jeffrey M. Davenport, 24, of 640 Coy Road, Greenfield, pleaded guilty Friday in Saratoga County Court to first-degree vehicular assault.

Saratoga County Court Judge Jerry J. Scarano will sentence Davenport on the Class D felony June 28, and prosecutors said he is expected to receive 11⁄3 to four years in prison.

District Attorney James A. Murphy III said the charges were filed after a car crash on Middleline Road in Milton that caused serious physical injuries to the other driver, Kristina M. Giammusso, 22, of 30 Brookstone Drive, Greenfield Center.

The crash occurred Dec. 9, when Davenport was heading northbound and crossed over the center line, crashing head-on into Giammusso’s southbound vehicle.

Both drivers were taken to Albany Medical Center with injuries. The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department investigated, and Davenport was later determined to be operating his motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.18 percent, according to Murphy — more than twice the legal threshold for intoxication.

Giammusso suffered a broken her back. Murphy said that she is improving but continues to be in rehabilitation.

“The innocent victim broke her back and has a long road of substantial therapy and healing still ahead of her. She will never fully recover,” Murphy said.

The woman was on her way to work at 5 a.m., Murphy said, while Davenport was on his way home from a night of partying. “It’s so unfair that such a hardworking, bright young woman has to suffer because of his criminal conduct,” Murphy said. “A state prison sentence is the only appropriate sentence.”

In addition to prison time, Davenport is expected to be required to install an alcohol-sensing ignition interlock device in any vehicle he drives for three years after his release from prison. His license is also expected to be revoked.