BREAKING NEWS

US DOT terminates key NY tolling program, a move it says 'effectively ends' congestion pricing.

Jury convicts driver in crash that injured cop

A jury convicted Rahiem Griffin Monday on all charges in a DWI crash that paralyzed a Nassau County police officer. On its second day of deliberations, the jury found Griffin, 28, guilty of driving while

News 12 Staff

Jun 15, 2009, 11:38 PM

Updated 5,727 days ago

Share:

A jury convicted Rahiem Griffin Monday on all charges in a DWI crash that paralyzed a Nassau County police officer.
On its second day of deliberations, the jury found Griffin, 28, guilty of driving while intoxicated, driving without a license and reckless assault.
Nassau County Police Officer Kenneth Baribault had stopped a motorist for suspected drunken driving on the LIE in May 2008 when authorities say a second vehicle, driven by Griffin, slammed into the police car. Baribault, who can now only speak in single syllables and is paralyzed on one side, made a brief appearance at the trial.
Baribault?s family members say they feel relieved the system gave them some justice, but that the crash continues to impact their lives.
?It is not over for us,? Baribault?s sister Danielle Rella says. ?Ken still has a long road to recovery, but at least this gives some sort of closure and a sense of justice.?
Griffin faces seven years in prison, but Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice says she may fight for a stiffer sentence. Griffin is due for sentencing on July 22. His attorney says he plans to appeal the conviction.
AP wire reports contributed to this article.