Desmond Shand, a 41-year-old Bronx resident, was sentenced to two years in state prison for a number of misdemeanor and felony convictions, including assault and vehicular assault. Shand pleaded guilty to the full eleven-count indictment against him. In addition to the aforementioned felonies, Shand was charged with leaving the scene, driving while intoxicated, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving, all misdemeanors.
Back in September of 2008, while Shand was trying to escape after crashing his car into a bicyclist, he hit a Jeep that was being driven by Herman Kenny, a high school senior. Shand nearly severed Kenny’s leg. The young man had to have his leg partially amputated at the knee. He has undergone 12 surgeries since. Four hours after the incidents occurred, Shand’s blood alcohol level was measured at 0.10%.
On the day of Shand’s sentencing in Westchester County Court, he apologized to Kenny and his family. Assistant District Attorney Christina O’Connor read a statement from the victim. She explained that the accident has forever changed his life and has put Kenny’s family under emotional and financial duress.
Website Resources:
Man gets 2 years in prison for drunken crash that nearly severed teen’s leg, Journal News, Rebecca Baker and Leslie Korngold, January 9, 2010.