In a heartbreaking incident that occurred over Memorial Day Weekend in 2022, a young college student lost her life in a car crash caused by a drunk driver. The driver, Vasu Laroiya, a 23-year-old Rutgers graduate, was allegedly recording a Snapchat video while driving a Tesla at a staggering speed of 156 mph on I-87. Tragically, he rear-ended 22-year-old Katryn “Katie” Fisher, a student at the University at Albany, resulting in her untimely death.
Laroiya has recently pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated vehicular homicide as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. As a result, he is expected to face a prison sentence ranging from eight to 25 years. Additionally, it has been revealed that Laroiya had a previous alcohol-related conviction.
Initially, Laroiya faced several charges, including second-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter, first-degree reckless endangerment, driving while intoxicated, and reckless driving. However, these charges were reduced as part of the plea agreement.
Katie Fisher, the victim of this tragic accident, had dreams of pursuing a career in teaching. Her family described her as a responsible and safety-conscious young adult who brought joy to everyone around her. Described as a shining bright light, Katie’s loss has left her loved ones devastated.
Following Laroiya’s sentencing, Katie’s father, Shawn Fisher, expressed his determination to seek justice for his daughter. He vowed to fight for awareness and changes to the laws, ensuring that crimes like these are properly prosecuted and that innocent victims do not have to experience the pain his family has endured.
Laroiya is set to be sentenced in Albany County court on January 26. His lawyer has not yet provided a comment on the case.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of drunk driving. It is essential for society to continue raising awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and advocating for stricter laws to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
