A Queens man was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs after crashing into a tree, resulting in two of his passengers being killed and another hospitalized.
On January 12 at approximately 11:09 p.m., the State Police responded to a one-car crash on the Southern State Parkway eastbound in the area of Exit 30. An investigation revealed a black 2016 Dodge Dart was traveling in and out of lanes at a high rate of speed before losing control and crashing into a tree on the shoulder. The vehicle had four occupants inside and two were dead when troopers arrived. The operator of the vehicle, Jaden Dsouza, age 19 of College Point and front passenger Anthonie Marte, age 23 of East Elmhurst, were extracted from the vehicle and taken to a local hospital in serious condition. The two rear passengers, Hailey Dsouza, age 21, and Crystal Alba-Figueroa, age 23, were pronounced dead at the scene. Hailey Dsouza was entrapped inside the vehicle and Alba-Figueroa was ejected from the vehicle.
Jaden Dsouza was charged with one count of Driving While Ability Impaired by drugs, second-degree manslaughter, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault, and aggravated vehicular homicide.
The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) responded to the scene to investigate. This incident is under investigation and the State Police is asking for any witnesses or anyone with information to call (631) 756-3300.