Manslaughter trial begins for Jessica Beauvais in alleged drunk driving crash that killed NYPD Officer Anastasios Tsakos
NEW YORK - The manslaughter trial began Tuesday for Jessica Beauvais, the mother accused of driving drunk and killing NYPD Officer Anastasios Tsakos on the Long Island Expressway in Queens.
There was a sea of officers both in and out of the Queens County Criminal Courthouse in support of Tsakos as opening statements took place.
Prosecutors say Beauvais struck and killed Tsakos back in 2021 while they say she was speeding, driving drunk and smoking marijuana.
"She made the choice to drink alcohol and do drugs. She made the choice then to get behind the wheel of a car," Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said.
Tsakos, a 14-year veteran with the NYPD, left behind two young kids and wife who tried to hold back tears at the courthouse.
"This defendant came barreling through those cones, drove over those cones, missed their police vehicle and then she struck him," the prosecutor told the jury.
Police say before Tsakos was tragically struck that April night, there was a crash on the highway that he was responded to; he was diverting traffic.
Tuesday, defense attorneys claim Tsakos was sitting with his back turned against traffic, looking down at his phone when he was struck, and road safety cones weren't properly placed.
"What he should have done is stand there with the reflector jacket," a defense attorney said.
On the stand Tuesday, a responding paramedic and officer both recounted that fatal night, and Tsakos' partner, Det. Eric Cassidy, got emotional at times.
Beauvais, a Long Island mother, spent most of the day with her head down, wiping away her tears. She previously rejected a prosecution plea deal of 16 years in prison. She was indicted on several charges, including vehicular manslaughter.
The trial continues Wednesday.
Beauvais's family and defense attorney declined to comment. If convicted, Beauvais faces up to 15 years in prison.