Suspect Arraigned In Death of Pittsfield Pedestrian

An Adams woman who was allegedly driving drunk in September when she killed a pedestrian was arraigned in Berkshire Superior Court on Thursday after being indicted by a Berkshire grand jury.

Debra Milesi, 57, was released after pleading not guilty.

The Berkshire Eagle reports Milesi is accused of striking Jerome "Jeremy" Berard while speeding on East Hoosic Street about 1:15 a.m. Sept. 29. Berard, 38, of North Adams, died Oct. 7 from his injuries.

Witnesses told police Milesi tried to drag Berard's body to the side of the road and yelled for help before driving away just as officers were arriving on the scene.

When police pulled her over, Milesi allegedly had "very slurred speech" and, at one point, almost fell into an officer as she tried to exit her vehicle.

Her eyes were bloodshot, police reported, and she smelled strongly of alcohol.

She had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 percent, more than twice the legal limit to drive, according to the police report.

Milesi pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of personal injury, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

She was released on the same $1,000 bail set in the lower court, with the conditions that she not operate a motor vehicle or leave Massachusetts.

Milesi is due back in court May 30 for a pretrial hearing.

If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in prison.