John Heneghan and his wife Caitlin Holtzman were struck while stopped at a red light
Irish immigrant John Heneghan and his wife Caitlin Holtzman were killed when their car was struck by an alleged drunk driver near Albany, New York on Saturday. Three other passengers were also badly injured.
Irish natives Luke O'Doherty (25) and Enda Crowley (25) and American Julia Staples (24) were rushed to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries following the accident.
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The group was reportedly en route to a wedding around 3 pm on Saturday when their car was struck by 58-year-old Dickie R. Winn, who was believed to be drunk, in Clifton Park, not far from Albany.
Dickie has since been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular manslaughter, as well as driving while intoxicated.
"Winn was charged after the vehicle he was operating left its lane of travel and struck a stopped vehicle, killing two passengers and seriously injuring three others," a state police spokesman said.
"Winn was arraigned in Clifton Park Town Court and remanded to Saratoga County Jail without bail. He is due back in court on May 29 at 4 pm."
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On Sunday, a family member told the Irish Independent: "We are heartbroken by the loss of John and Caitlyn."
"Our thoughts are with their friends in hospital, we are thinking of their families at this time."
Father John Kenny, the parish priest of Tourmakeady, told The Independent: "We heard the word come through (yesterday) and naturally his family are very upset and shocked."
"John, his dad is a widower, his mother passed away a number of years ago. He also has siblings," said Fr Kenny.
"In the community, he would have been a very popular young man before emigrating to America."
"He came home to get married to his wife a number of years ago in 2015."
"He's always had a strong connection with home, and he was very popular with all of his peers."
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"May they rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with both families, with their friends and with the three people who were injured," he said
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