http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-
coccomo2feb03,0,6108754.story?track=rss

Driver in triple fatal: 'I wasn't drunk'
    
By Zach Lowe - Staff Writer

Published February 3 2007

STAMFORD - A former second-grade teacher testified yesterday she couldn't
remember the 2005 car accident that killed three people but is certain
she wasn't drunk at the time.

"I know I wasn't drunk," said Tricia Coccomo, 33, testified at state
Superior Court. "I know I had a couple of drinks."

Coccomo faces more than 60 years in prison for allegedly driving drunk,
crossing over to the wrong side of Long Ridge Road and smashing head-on
into a convertible, killing all three people inside.

The driver of the convertible, 72-year-old James Inverno, died instantly.
His wife, Barbara, 58, and their back seat passenger, 23-year-old Glenn
Shelley, died hours later.

Coccomo likely ensured her conviction on two minor charges when she
admitted on the stand she had a marijuana cigarette and a loose
prescription painkiller in her purse at the time of the accident.

She could be convicted of six other charges, including three counts of
second-degree manslaughter, even if the jury believes she was sober at
the time of the crash.

Blood tests revealed Coccomo's blood-alcohol level was 0.20, above the
legal limit of 0.08.

(snip)