NORTH MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. (PIX11) – A New York City man was allegedly on drugs and driving "unsafely" before a crash that killed his sister and another woman Sunday night, according to police and witnesses.
The crash happened on the eastbound Southern State Parkway around Exit 30 in North Massapequa on Long Island around 11 p.m., according to the New York State Police.
Jaden Dsouza, 19, was allegedly speeding in and out of lanes before he lost control of the car and crashed into a tree on the shoulder of the road, according to the New York State Police.
“Several witnesses stopped and explained that the vehicle was traveling at excessive speed and also changing lanes unsafely,” said New York State Police Capt. Vincent Augeri.
The rear-seat passengers in the vehicle – 21-year-old Hailey Dsouza and 23-year-old Crystal Alba-Figueroa – were both killed in the crash, police said.
“Upon the troopers’ arrival, they found the vehicle pinned up against a tree. From the damage, it was obvious that the vehicle was traveling at an excessive speed. The troopers came upon a pretty horrific scene given the damage and the two deceased,” Augeri said.
Jaden Dsouza and a 23-year-old front-seat passenger were both hospitalized in serious condition, authorities said.
Jaden Dsouza, of College Point, Queens, has been charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, second-degree manslaughter, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault, and aggravated vehicular homicide, according to the New York State Police.
“We do suspect that he was under the influence or that marijuana played a role in this vehicle collision,” Augeri said.
Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than six years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here.
English (US) ·