A 34-year-old mother accused of driving drunk and killing a teen on his bicycle is distraught over the boy’s death and has sought alcohol and psychological counseling, according to her lawyer. Caroline Goss of Mattituck, New York, is charged with drunk driving, endangering the welfare of a child, and driving with an open container of alcohol in her vehicle.
The registered nurse, who had a blood-alcohol level of 0.13 when she fatally struck 15-year-old Joseph Marino on August 12 in Hampton Bays, could face more serious charges, depending on what investigators learn from further blood test and reconstructing the accident.
Her attorney, Tony Palumbo, said Goss is overwhelmed. “I’ve spent about six hours with her, and she spent all but about 10 minutes crying,” he said. “Regardless of fault, this is a terribly tragic accident and she sends her deepest condolences and sympathy to the family.”
Goss was driving her 2001 Jeep Cherokee north on Ponquogue Avenue when she hit the teen at around 8:40 pm. Her six-year-old son, who was sitting in the front seat, was not injured. Goss told police she had just reached for her phone before hitting the teen, said Robert Clifford, spokesman for Suffolk County District Attorney Tom Spota.
Southampton Police Detective Sgt. Randy Hintze said Joseph had just stopped on his bike to talk to friends when he was struck. Clifford said police found a cup containing alcohol in the front seat of the car and a half-full bottle of vanilla vodka in the back seat. Goss was convicted in 2003 of driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Right after the accident, Goss jumped out of the car and performed CPR on the boy, trying to save him. Goss, who is divorced and also has a 10-year-old son, works in the intensive care unit at John T. Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson.
Goss was released on $20,000 bail last week, but has yet to return to work, her lawyer said. The incident occurred as state lawmakers called for stiffer penalties last week for those who drive drunk with children in the car.
The Child Passenger Protection Act, proposed by Gov. David Paterson, would make it a felony for motorists to drive drunk or under the influence of drugs with passengers under age 16.
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