A Brooklyn man, Jenmark Ballenger, 29,has been convicted in Broome County Court for his role in a fiery crash in which Constance Curtin, 60, of Owego and her daughter, Michelle were killed.
Ballenger will be sentenced in April 14, 2011 for criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment.
Prosecutors said Ballenger caused an accident that slowed traffic on Route 17 on March 19th, 2010 and set in motion two other accidents that resulted in the deaths.
Ballenger, who was not driving, grabbed the steering wheel from the driver of the car in which he was a passenger.
He knew the driver of a passing car and, for unknown reasons, tried to swerve into them.
The car went out of control and started the multi car collision.
The victim’s 1996 Jeep Cherokee burst into flames after being rear ended by a mini van.
The force of the collision pushed the gas tank into the back seat of the Jeep.
The defendant is currently serving a six year term in prison for bribery of a witness in a Binghamton robbery.
