By Craig Giammona
Danielle Baymack, 22, of Bayside, was initially charged with driving while intoxicated and vehicular manslaughter in connection with a Sept. 22 car accident that claimed the life of Marlene Rivera, a Christ the King graduate who was also stationed at the 103rd Precinct. Baymack would have faced up to seven years in jail if convicted of the initial charges, but she was indicted Monday on a charge of manslaughter, Rice said in a statement.She now faces up to 15 years in jail, according to Rice.Baymack's Mineola attorney, Dennis Lemke, said Rice will have great difficulty convincing a jury that Baymack is guilty of manslaughter.”It's disingenuous to say the charges have been upgraded; she's been overcharged,” Lemke said of Baymack.The fatal accident occurred in the early hours of Sept. 22 in Nassau County. Baymack and Rivera were headed home to New York City after having dropped off a third officer in Suffolk County. The three off-duty officers, all from the 103rd Precinct, had allegedly been out drinking that night at Play Lounge in Elmhurst, Rice said. Baymack agreed to drive the unnamed third officer to her home in Suffolk County. She was on her way to drop Rivera off in Brooklyn when the accident occurred, Rice said. Baymack was driving a 2000 Mitsubishi Galant west on the Wantagh State Parkway when the car slammed into a guide rail and sign post, Rice said.Rivera was pronounced dead soon after at Nassau University Medical Center. Baymack was also taken to the hospital and was found to have a blood-alcohol level of .11, or slightly more than the .08 level limit, Rice said.Rice said Monday Baymack is due back in court on Feb. 9.Reach reporter Craig Giammona by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
