A Hempstead man has been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for a crash that claimed the life of a 26-year-old man and inflicted injuries on three others.
Donnell Hill, 52, who spent 10 years as an MTA bus driver, pled guilty on January 24, 2024, to multiple charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide and second-degree assault before Judge Terence Murphy. He was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison. The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office had recommended a sterner sentence of 7 to 21 years.
On October 29, 2022, Hill, who was under the influence of alcohol, recklessly sped his Dodge Charger at nearly triple the speed limit on Jerusalem Avenue, ultimately crashing into a tree. This resulted in the death of Xavier Parris, and injuries to three other people, including Hill’s son.
It revealed that Hill was driving at a top speed of 97 miles per hour just seconds before the crash, without attempting to brake, in 30-miles-per-hour zone. Additionally, Hill exhibited performed “doughnut” maneuvers on the road shortly before the crash.
Xavier Parris ejected from the vehicle. He was transported to NYU Langone Winthrop Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Two other passengers sustained various injuries and received treatment at Nassau University Medical Center.
“Donnell Hill was an MTA bus driver for more than ten years, responsible for the lives of countless passengers along his routes.” Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly said. “But on October 29, 2022, any sense of duty clearly did not extend to his personal life, when the defendant recklessly sped down Jerusalem Avenue at more than three times the speed limit while heavily intoxicated and crashed his high-powered Dodge Charger into a tree. The impact killed a 26-year-old man and injured the defendant’s own son. Xavier Parris had his whole life ahead of him. A charismatic young man who was loved by his Uniondale community. We hope that today’s prison sentence brings some solace to Xavier’s many family members and friends who continue to mourn his loss.”