VICTIM WAS DWI
ODD TWIST IN LEYRITZ SLAY CASE
By JULIE KAY in Plantation, Fla., and CYNTHIA R. FAGEN in NY
January 31, 2008 -- The 30-year-old mother of two tragically killed last month when boozing ex-Yankee Jim Leyritz crashed his SUV into her car had herself been driving drunk, The Post has learned.
The victim, Fredia Ann Veitch, had a .08 blood-alcohol level, which is the state's legal limit, sources close to the case said yesterday.
Anything .08 or higher is considered DUI, driving under the influence, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles.
Broward County Assistant State Attorney Stefanie Newman said she "couldn't comment until the toxicology reports are released in seven to eight days."
Veitch's husband, Jason, who was with his young son outside their home, said he wasn't aware of the report and declined to comment further.
When asked how he was doing, he simply said, "Bad."
It's not clear if the medical examiner's report will have any bearing on Leyritz's arraignment and bond hearing today.
Leyritz faces manslaughter and other charges that could put the 44-year-old former Yankee hero in prison for 15 years.
Police said the 1996 World Series star had a blood-alcohol level of 0.14, nearly twice the legal limit, when he allegedly blew a traffic light and slammed his 2006 Ford Expedition into Veitch's Mitsubishi on Dec. 28.
Veitch had finished her bartending and waitressing shift at the Original Steakhouse when she was hit. Her vehicle rolled over and she was ejected.
She had just given notice to quit her job and become a stay-at-home mom to her 5-year-old son, Julian, and her 13-year-old daughter, Kayla.
The hard-partying Leyritz had been out drinking to celebrate his birthday and was driving home when the tragedy occurred.
Leyritz was already a road hazard when the crash occurred.
He had racked up at least seven traffic violations in Broward County from 2002 to 2006 for blowing through stop signs, speeding and driving with a suspended license, among other infractions, public records show.
In May 2006, his last brush with the law prior to the fatal crash, he pleaded guilty to not having motor vehicle insurance.
Leyritz's agent, Andrew Levy, had previously said that heavy drinking was "out of character" for the former Yankee.
But when cops arrived at the scene of the crash at 3:20 a.m. Leyritz appeared to have "red watery eyes" and a "flushed face," according to police.
[email protected]
