Judge gives “inadequate” max sentence to drugged driver who killed vet

POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Court Judge Jessica Segal sentenced a 35-year-old Poughkeepsie woman to the maximum sentence possible Thursday, noting that it is “inadequate” but that is all she was allowed to do.  Camay Pryce was convicted in February for killing a popular Navy veteran, Erin “Doc” Clancy, in a head-on collision in Pleasant Valley in September 2022.

On Thursday Pryce was sentenced to the maximum allowable for vehicular manslaughter, which is two-and-one-third to seven years in prison.  She was also sentenced to 364 days, concurrently for the conviction of driving while ability impaired-drugs.  She was ordered to pay mandatory restitution and surcharges as well.

“The sentencing range is inadequate to deal with the tremendous loss to the Clancy family and the community have endured,” Segal said during the sentencing.  It echoed Senior Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Fluck’s pre-sentencing remarks when she asked for the maximum sentence of two-and-one-third to seven years in prison, calling it “horribly insufficient.”  Fluck noted that Pryce, to this day, has denied any wrongdoing despite all of the evidence presented and the testimony of state police experts and said Pryce has demonstrated a “blatant disregard toward this court, the judicial system, and the Clancy family.”

Clancy’s widow, also named Erin, and two of their daughters read statements before sentencing as did one of the other drivers injured in the multi-vehicle wreck on Route 44.  “Doc” and Erin, the court heard, had been high school sweethearts and were just days away from their 30th wedding anniversary when Pryce, driving under the influence of marijuana, killed the victim.  “You get credit for time served,” the widow said while looking at Pryce.  “I don’t.”

Judge Segal softly asked the family to direct their comments toward the bench and avoid looking at Pryce, standing in her county jail jumpsuit alongside her attorney, Ryanne…