Grand Jury Indicts Teen On Manslaughter Charges In Deadly High-Speed Crash

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A teen driver who police say drove recklessly resulting in a deadly crash is now facing a felony indictment.

The Dutchess County District Attorney's Office announced that 19-year-old Jaheim Parkin, was charged by an indictment returned by a Dutchess County grand jury and arraigned in Dutchess County Court on Wednesday. The indictment charges Parkin with one count of felony manslaughter and one count of felony assault.

"Reckless and irresponsible behavior on our roadways will not be tolerated," District Attorney Anthony Parisi said. "The defendant's alleged actions resulted in the tragic and entirely preventable death of one passenger and caused serious injury to another passenger. Our office is committed to pursuing justice for the victims and their families and to ensuring accountability for anyone whose reckless actions put lives at risk."

The incident took place on Oct. 2, 2024, on All Angels Road, near Dugan Lane, in the Town of Wappinger. Investigators say the teen driver recklessly caused the death of one victim and recklessly caused serious physical injury to another victim while both victims were passengers in his vehicle.

Parkin is accused of driving the vehicle in a reckless manner throughout multiple jurisdictions within Dutchess County. Investigators say he tailgated vehicles, passed vehicles by crossing double yellow lines, and drove at almost double the speed limit just before crashing the vehicle.

The wild ride ultimately ended in tragedy, when he lost control of his vehicle and slid off the road and crashed into a utility pole.