Queens Man Indicted For Manslaughter In Fatal Nassau Crash: DA

ELMONT, NY — A Queens man was indicted today on manslaughter and other charges related to a drunk driving crash in Elmont in 2021 that killed his passenger, officials said.

Kwesi Williams, 41, was indicted on charges of second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, two counts of driving while under the influence of alcohol, second-degree reckless endangerment and reckless driving.

He is due back in court on April 6. If convicted of the top charge, Williams could spend up to 15 years in prison.

“The defendant got behind the wheel in the early morning, allegedly intoxicated and driving more than twice the speed limit on Elmont Road, with a passenger in his vehicle. Tragically, his alleged reckless actions led to a collision and the woman’s death,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “Driving while intoxicated is a serious crime and can quickly turn deadly. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family as we prosecute this case.”

According to Donnelly, around 2 a.m. on Dec. 3, 2021, Williams was speeding on Elmont Road when he crossed over the roadway and hit a parked car, and then crashed into a utility pole. A 33-year-old woman in the passenger seat was seriously injured. She was pronounced dead an hour after the crash by doctors at NYU Langone Hospital.

Data recovered from the crash revealed that Williams was driving 74 mph in a 30 mph zone, Donnelly said. Williams was arrested at the hospital on Dec. 3.