A speeding BMW, in which a 14-year-old girl from New York City was riding with her friend, caused her death last year when she was thrown out of the car.
According to the Queens District Attorney, the punishment of the parents of the unlicensed teen driver shows that the responsibility for a fatal crash can extend beyond the driver.
Authorities have reported that both parents of the juvenile driver, Sean Smith, 40, and Deo Ramnarine, 43, have pleaded guilty to endangering a child. Ramnarine has also pled guilty to disorderly conduct during the same trial.
The court has sentenced the father to a three-year probation and has issued a directive for him to attend a 26-week parenting class. Along with this, the mother is also required to participate in the same program. Upon completion, the mother will have the option to withdraw her guilty plea to child endangerment, in addition to meeting other requirements. This decision was announced on Monday.
Prosecutors state that on the evening of May 2023, the young driver, aged 16 at the time and whose identity has not been disclosed due to being a minor, was driving a 2005 BMW in red color at an alarming speed of 101 mph in a 30 mph zone along North Conduit Avenue.
As they made their way to his grandmother’s house, Fortune Williams sat in the passenger seat beside him, keeping him company.
Prosecutors state that the teenager lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a collision with a UPS truck. The impact caused the car to spin and collide with a driving tractor-trailer on the opposite side of the road.
According to prosecutors, Fortune sustained severe head injuries after crashing through the glass and colliding with the back of the UPS truck. Unfortunately, she passed away at the scene.
Authorities report that an employee of UPS was injured after a BMW collided with the truck as he was climbing into it. The impact caused the employee to be thrown to the ground and he received treatment for his injuries.
Prosecutors claim that the father of the teenager admitted in front of the police, while his son was receiving treatment for minor injuries, that he had bought the BMW for his son. The car was registered in his name, but his son only had a junior driver’s license, which meant he was not allowed to drive in New York City, under any circumstances, according to the prosecutors.
According to a statement made by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, parents who provide their children with vehicles and permit them to drive illegally can be held responsible in cases such as the one that resulted in this tragedy. The statement was made while announcing the sentencing of both parents involved.
According to the family and friends of Fortune, who had set up a GoFundMe account after the incident, she was a delightful child who brought joy to everyone around her.
According to reports, the teenager who was only 14 years old had a charming personality. She was known for her good manners, hardworking nature, and her caring attitude towards her siblings. She was also admired for her witty and youthful nature, which only she could carry with such grace and glamour.
The fundraising page, which has been taken down now, revealed that the young girl had an immense love for fashion and relished helping her mother in the kitchen. She had aspirations of pursuing a career in the field of medicine.
The driver’s father informed the car’s insurer three weeks after the accident that his son, whom he considered a proficient driver, had only driven the BMW twice before. Additionally, he stated that he had always accompanied his son on these drives.
Prosecutors allege that the teen’s peers at school frequently spotted him behind the wheel of his BMW. Additionally, a school supervisor notified his parents of the teen’s habit of driving to school.
Authorities have charged the teenager with driving without a license and using a portable electronic device, as per reports.
In December, the 17-year-old was charged with several offenses related to the accident, including second-degree manslaughter, three counts of second-degree assault, third-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment, endangering the welfare of a child, reckless driving, driving over the speed limit, unsafe lane change on a roadway with traffic lanes, making an illegal turn, and two counts of operating a motor vehicle with tinted windows.
If found guilty on the most severe charge, he could potentially serve a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, according to prosecutors. At this time, it is unclear who he has retained as his legal representation.
