Long Island man sentenced for aggravated vehicular homicide in DWI case

RIVERHEAD (WABC) -- A construction worker convicted in a drunk driving crash that killed a teenager on Long Island has been given the maximum sentence: 10 1/3 to 32 years in prison.

Michael Grasing, 34, was found guilty in November of aggravated vehicular homicide and a slew of other charges, but was not convicted of the top count -- second-degree murder -- that he faced.

Grasing had a blood alcohol level almost four times the legal limit and was speeding at 100 miles per hour when he crashed into 18-year-old Brittney Walsh's car on Montauk Highway in Lindenhurst two years ago before speeding away from the scene of the accident.

Walsh was pronounced dead at the scene.

Grasing will be eligible for parole in eight years, and the family of Walsh is upset over the outcome, saying that is not nearly enough punishment.

Grasing, of Babylon, is the first person on Long Island charged with murder in a drunk driving incident in six years. He was also found guilty of second-degree manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, aggravated driving while intoxicated, failure to stay in a designated lane and speeding.

Walsh had graduated from high school just two days before the crash and was driving home from work.

The judge imposed consecutive sentences on the homicide and leaving the scene charges. Grasing must serve a minimum of 10 2/3 and a maximum of 32 years.