Woman charged with vehicular manslaughter for August 2020 crash in New Berlin

On January 28, 2021 New York State Police arrested Kerri L. Bunnelle, age 31 of Little Falls, NY for the felonies of Vehicular Manslaughter in the second degree and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the first degree.  She was also charged with the misdemeanors of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated. 

Bunnelle was the driver of a GMC Envoy that crossed over into on-coming traffic on August 4, 2020 on State Highway 8 in the town of New Berlin.  She struck a Ford Focus head-on that was being driven by Mathew R. Fredericks, age 43 of Herkimer, NY.  Mr. Fredericks did not survive the crash. 

An investigation revealed that Bunnelle’s blood alcohol content was .23%.  She also did not possess a valid license at the time. 

Bunnelle and her attorney responded to SP Sidney on January 28, 2021.  She was virtually arraigned in the town of Norwich court and released on her own recognizance.  She will appear in the Chenango County Court at a later date. 

Here is a link to the original article after the crash occured: https://www.nyspnews.com/troopers-investigate-fatal-crash-in-new-berlin.htm.