A Queens man was sentenced to up to 18 years in prison for a high-speed drugged-driving crash in 2025 on the Southern State Parkway that killed his 21-year-old sister and another 23-year-old female passenger.
On January 12, 2025, at approximately 11:05 p.m., Jaden D’Souza was driving a 2016 Dodge Dart eastbound on the Southern State Parkway near Exit 30, carrying his sister, 21-year-old Haily D’Souza, and 23-year-old Crystal Alba-Figueroa in the backseat, and another 23-year-old male passenger in the front seat.
D’Souza was traveling in and out of lanes at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle, drove off the road, and crashed into a tree on the grassy shoulder.
The vehicle came to rest upside down on the shoulder.
Alba-Figueroa was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
Haily D’Souza was trapped in the rear passenger seat and was pronounced dead at the scene. The 23-year-old male passenger was taken to Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) with serious physical injuries, including spinal fractures and a traumatic brain injury.
D’Souza was transported to NUMC and treated for his injuries.
During the crash, a spare tire became dislodged from the defendant’s vehicle and struck another vehicle traveling eastbound on the Southern State Parkway, causing that vehicle to crash into a guardrail, injuring the driver.
During the investigation of the crash, police recovered several cannabis products in the crash debris and in the vehicle, including THC-infused products, rolling papers, a bong, and lighters.
A search warrant for D’Souza’s hospital blood taken the evening of the crash revealed the sample contained a high level of the active and impairing component of cannabis.
The event data recorder inside D’Souza’s vehicle showed that the defendant was driving 123 miles per hour when he lost control of the vehicle.
He was arrested at NUMC on January 13, 2025, by members of the New York State Police.
D’Souza, 20, pleaded guilty on March 23, 2026, before Judge Caryn Fink to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a Class B felony); two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a Class C felony); Assault in the Second Degree (a Class D violent felony); Assault in the Third Degree (a Class A misdemeanor); and Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs (an unclassified misdemeanor).
D’Souza was sentenced on May 8 to seven to 18 years in prison. The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office recommended a sentence of seven to 21 years in prison.
“The defendant’s extreme recklessness stole the lives of two young women, including his own sister,” said Nassau DA Anne Donnelly. “Haily and Crystal’s families are left grappling with a void that shattered their world. The defendant’s actions are a reminder that driving while impaired leads to tragic and preventable deaths. This sentence sends a clear message that there is a heavy price to pay for such a flagrant disregard for human life. Our hearts are with the victims’ families, and we hope this result brings them a measure of justice.”