Melrose Place Actress Guilty Over Death Crash

A former Melrose Place actress has been convicted over the death of a 60-year-old woman in a drink-drive crash.

Amy Locane-Bovenizer was acquitted of the more serious charge of aggravated manslaughter over the 2010 collision that left Helene Seeman dead and Mrs Seeman's husband with lung and rib injuries.

Prosecutors said the star's blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit when the crash occurred on a dark lane in Montgomery Township in New Jersey.

The actress reportedly told ambulance workers she had downed several glasses of wine and a beer before getting behind the wheel.

The emergency call was made at 9.16pm and an officer who attended the scene found Locane-Bovenizer in a nearby ditch, with her "clothes messed up, eyes bloodshot and speech slurred".

Fred Seeman, who had been returning from dinner with his wife and friends, said it was like getting hit by a bomb when Locane-Bovenizer's 4x4 hit them.

Locane-Bovenizer's defence team said she was distracted by another driver who was chasing her after she rear-ended their vehicle and the Seemans' car then turned in front of her.

During the chase Locane-Bovenizer was driving nearly 20mph over the speed limit when she collided with the couple.

Somerset County assistant prosecutor Matthew Murphy said at the opening of the trial on October 4 that Locane-Bovenizer had had eight to 10 drinks before the accident, citing that "death was probable, not merely possible".

The actress appeared in 13 episodes of Melrose Place and in movies including Cry-Baby, School Ties and Secretary.

She faces five to 10 years in prison on a vehicular homicide charge and three to five years in prison for her conviction on a second count of assault by auto, which stemmed from the injuries to Mr Seeman.