Domonic Whilby Convicted In Chelsea Crash That Killed MTA Driver: Prosecutors

NEW YORK, NY — Domonic Whilby, the nephew of model Tyson Beckford, has been convicted in the 2014 crash that killed an MTA bus driver, prosecutors said on Friday.

A grand jury found Whilby guilty on a slew of charges but did not convict him of murder, the highest charge prosecutors initially sought in the drunk-driving crash. Whilby, 25, was found guilty by jurors of aggravated vehicular homicide and manslaughter in the second degree, among other charges. Jurors told the judge that they were deadlocked on the murder charge on Thursday, the New York Post reported.

Whilby was drinking and smoking with his famous uncle in the Meatpacking District in February 2014. He was reportedly so intoxicated that he was kicked out of the 1 Oak club before he drunkenly stole a delivery truck parked on the street. In the early morning hours of February 12, prosecutors say he briefly drove the truck through Chelsea, striking multiple vehicles before barreling into an MTA bus and killing its driver, William Pena. Four others were also injured by Whilby, prosecutors said.

"Because of Domonic Whilby’s reckless decisions, a beloved family member and public servant is dead," said Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance in a statement. "This was a devastating and utterly preventable tragedy."

Whilby's defense team said he was too drunk to be cognizant of his actions, saying he was "aware of nothing" when he stole the truck and began driving.

Whilby is scheduled to be sentenced on April 25.

Lead image via Shutterstock.