Family Outraged as Driver Escapes State Prison Time in Fatal Hit-and-Run

Lewisboro Shopping Center Tragedy Leaves Victim’s Loved Ones Devastated

The family of a woman who tragically lost her life in a Lewisboro shopping center is expressing their anger and frustration after the driver responsible for her death was spared state prison time. Jeffrey Dickens, a 63-year-old resident of South Salem, was sentenced to six months in the county jail as part of a five-year probation for leaving the scene of a fatal accident. The lenient sentence has left the victim’s family feeling that justice has not been served.

The incident occurred on December 1, 2022, in the parking lot of the Orchard Square Shopping Center in Cross River. Dickens drove into and over Randi Blattberg, a 65-year-old woman from Mount Vernon, before callously driving away. Although he was identified as the driver shortly after the incident, Dickens was not arrested until the following day.

It is worth noting that Dickens was never charged with causing Blattberg’s death or with driving while intoxicated. However, her husband and brother firmly believe that Dickens deliberately fled the scene to avoid a breath test that would have confirmed his consumption of alcohol at a restaurant in the shopping center just before the collision.

Following the sentencing hearing, Peter Sherman, the victim’s grieving husband, expressed his dismay, stating, “He got away with killing her.” Sherman delivered a poignant victim impact statement, recounting the memories of his beloved spouse of 35 years, an accountant who worked at the pharmacy within the shopping center. He also revealed the ongoing nightmares he experiences, reliving his wife’s final moments.

Gary Blattberg, the victim’s brother from Massachusetts, spoke of the profound pain and loss he feels. Recalling their shared childhood bedroom in Mount Vernon, Blattberg lamented the premature end to their plans of growing old together. He criticized Dickens for callously leaving his sister on the ground, depriving her of a chance to receive help and survive.

Blattberg further emphasized that he might have considered the incident an accident if Dickens had stopped and rendered aid. However, he firmly believes that the six-month jail term is not commensurate with the severity of the crime that claimed his sister’s life. The constant sadness that engulfs him remains inexplicable, as he expressed to the judge.

Both Sherman and Blattberg contend that more should have been done to charge Dickens in connection with the death. They highlight the existence of his credit card receipt, which clearly shows the alcoholic beverages he purchased at the restaurant on that fateful evening. Unfortunately, the lack of video evidence from inside the establishment and the delayed discovery of Dickens prevented prosecutors from proving his intoxication.

During the proceedings, Dickens’ attorney, Joseph Heinzmann, read out a written statement on his behalf. In the statement, Dickens expressed his “deepest condolences” to Blattberg’s family, acknowledging their justified contempt towards him. While Dickens argued that the parking lot was poorly designed for traffic and pedestrian flow, he accepted responsibility for not exercising enough caution despite his familiarity with the area.

Dickens had pleaded guilty to the charge of leaving the scene in September and began serving his jail term in mid-October. Consequently, he could potentially be released as early as next month. The maximum sentence for this offense is seven years in prison, and Assistant District Attorney Marissa Morra-Wynn had requested some state prison time in her plea. However, the presiding judge, James McCarty, opted for a shock probation sentence.

In response to Sherman and Blattberg’s request to reconsider the sentence, Judge McCarty explained that a state prison term would not be appropriate given Dickens’ age, overall law-abiding life, significant medical conditions, and his acceptance of responsibility. As part of his probation, Dickens’ driving privileges have been revoked, and he will have to fulfill DWI conditions. However, he may be eligible to reapply for his driver’s license later this year.

Gary Blattberg’s whispered remark to nearby women, “You kill somebody and you lose your license for six months. Welcome to America,” reflects the family’s deep dissatisfaction with the outcome of the case.