A City of Newburgh woman reportedly smoked cocaine before crashing into an oncoming car in Cornwall and killing a prominent New Windsor surgeon, Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced. The woman is now facing state prison time.
Ezzial Williams, age 38 of Newburgh, was driving on Route 32 in the Town of Cornwall on October 10, 2021. According to Hoovler, Williams was speeding when she crossed the double yellow line and crashed into an oncoming vehicle. Prior to operating the vehicle, Williams had smoked cocaine, some of which was recovered from a crack pipe found in her belongings after the crash, Hoovler said.
Dr. John Hordines, Jr., age 54 of New Windsor, was pronounced dead at the scene. Dr. Hordines was a surgeon with Crystal Run Health Care Center. He was also affiliated with St. Luke’s Hospital in Newburgh.
Prior to his untimely death, Dr. Hordines had been nominated for the Essential Worker Award for volunteering his time and services to help Intensive Care Unit patients during the height of the COVID pandemic. He was also one of the few doctors remaining who made house calls. He left behind a wife and two sons.
On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, Williams pled guilty to killing Dr. Hordines during an appearance in Orange County Court. Under her plea agreement, she will be sentenced to 3.5 to 7 years in state prison when sentenced on April 25, 2023.
Members of the New York State Police, including the Collision Reconstruction Unit, investigated the circumstances of the crash and determined that Dr. Hordines’ vehicle was in the proper lane of travel. The investigation determined that the crash was caused as a result of Williams’ s impairment, her speed, and reckless driving by crossing over the double yellow line. Williams admitted during the plea that she did all of this.
“Drugged driving is a deadly choice that leads to terrible outcomes,” said Hoovler. “We lost an innocent member of our community whose life was dedicated to helping others. Incidents such as this one are not accidents, they are serious crimes and perpetrators need to be held accountable. I hope that this case serves as a warning to those inclined to make the same senseless choice made by the defendant in this case. My Office will continue to seek significant sentences in drugged driving cases, particularly ones that result in injury or death to others.”
