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A Dutchess County man, Rohan Patrick, pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide following a tragic accident that resulted in the death of Bard College student Linh Hong Nguyen. The incident occurred on May 25, 2024, in the village of Red Hook, New York, where Patrick, 41, was driving a 2017 Ford Fusion at speeds between 50 to 60 mph in a 30 mph zone. He admitted to struggling to stay awake while driving for at least 30 minutes before the accident.
Nguyen, a 25-year-old graduate student who had just received her Master of Music in Instrumental Studies from Bard College, was walking on a sidewalk when she was struck by Patrick's vehicle. The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office reported that Patrick remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. He was charged nearly six months later after a thorough investigation.
According to Times Union, Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi stated, "This plea reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s actions and the irreparable harm caused by his negligence." Patrick is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15.
Nguyen, originally from Hanoi, Vietnam, had plans to pursue a doctorate at Stony Brook University. Her death has deeply affected the Bard College community, where she was remembered for her thoughtfulness and eagerness to learn, as noted by Bard Conservatory Director Frank Corliss.