Drunk driver sentenced to prison for fatal crash

PLATTSBURGH | An Ellenburg man was sentenced to the maximum term in prison for recklessly causing the death of a beloved Northern Tier woman. Joshua Snide reappeared in Clinton County Court Monday when Judge Keith Bruno imposed the maximum sentence. Despite Snide's apologies to Theresa Rinn's family in court and calling the tragedy 'an accident', the judge disputed that term, saying the June 2025 crash was not an accident but criminal conduct after Snide chose to operate a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and marijuana. Snide, 36, had fled the Plank Road crash site after Rinn's death by calling his father, Ronald Snide, to pick him up. Snide's mother returned him to the accident site roughly 20 minutes later when police learned he was driving under the influence and at a high rate of speed when he crossed into oncoming traffic and hit Rinn. His blood-alcohol content was .22 at the time. Snide pleaded guilty to first-degree vehicular manslaughter, aggravated driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of a personal-injury accident, reckless driving and speed not reasonable in January. Judge Bruno imposed a sentence of 5 to 15 years in state prison on the manslaughter charge, which was the maximum sentence allowable by law. Snide was also ordered to pay restitution for Rinn's funeral expenses to the Office of Victim Services and Hamilton Funeral Home. Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie said, "This sentence reflects the devastating consequences of choosing to drive drunk. Theresa Rinn should still be alive today. Our thoughts remain with her family as they continue to grieve an unimaginable loss." The District Attorney's Office thanked the responding law enforcement agencies, crash reconstruction specialists, and first responders for their work and dedication throughout the investigation.