Wrong-Way Driver Who Killed 3-Month-Old Sentenced To 9 Years: DA

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, NY — A Prospect Heights man who fatally struck a three-month-old in a wrong-way crash was sentenced to 9 years in prison, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Wednesday.

Tyrik Mott, 30, in March pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of the fatal 2021 crash in Brooklyn, Gonzalez said.

Prosecutors say Mott was driving the wrong way on a one-way stretch of Gates Avenue on September 11, 2021.

At the Vanderbilt Avenue intersection, Mott collided with another driver who had the light, causing both cars to jump the curb and hit a couple walking with a stroller on Gates, prosecutors said.

Apolline Mong Guillemin, 3 months, died and her 33-year-old mother was transferred to an area hospital with serious injuries. Guillemin's father had only minor injuries, as did the driver of the other car, Gonzalez said.

Mott immediately ditched his car and ran — but was nabbed by police as he attempted to snatch a getaway car on Atlantic Avenue, prosecutors said.

At the time, the crash ignited safe streets advocates and neighbors, who said the crash was indicative of dangerous driving culture, according to Brooklyn Magazine.

Community members held a rally days after the crash to call for swift action.

"From babies to teachers to police officers, no one is immune to the dangers of a city that continues to prioritize the convenience of drivers over saving human lives," Transportation Alternatives Exectuive Director Danny Harris said in a statement at the time.

Mott was not a first-time traffic offender, according to Harris and the New York Post.

Mott had collected a whopping 160 traffic violations including 91 school zone violations since 2017, according to the Post and Harris.

He was caught running red lights 14 times since 2017, according to the New York Post.