Guilty Plea For Driver In Queens Crash That Killed Off-Duty NYPD Cop

QUEENS, NY - A Queens man pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges this week for his role in a January 2020 drunk driving crash that killed an off-duty NYPD officer, authorities said.

Kassun Brown, 32, of Springfield Gardens, pleaded guilty on Monday to manslaughter in the second degree before Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.

Brown faces between six to 12 years in prison, Katz said. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 11, 2024.

Shortly before midnight on Jan. 17, 2020, Brown’s 2006 Nissan Maxima sped past a stop sign at the intersection of Nashville Boulevard and Lucas Street in St. Albans and crashed into a Nissan Altima driven by off-duty officer Michael Ellis, who was traveling westbound on Lucas Street, Katz’s office said.

Ellis’ car spun clockwise before hitting two parked cars, according to surveillance footage. Brown’s car crashed into a telephone pole.

Ellis, a St. Albans resident who worked at the 63rd Precinct in Brooklyn, was rushed to the hospital and treated for a traumatic brain injury, a broken neck and facial fractures, Katz said. He died on Feb. 27, his 35th birthday.

Brown’s blood alcohol content during the crash rose above the maximum legal threshold of .08%, Katz’s office said. Brown was hospitalized for a dislocated right ankle while a passenger in his car was treated for a fractured femur.

“The defendant’s recklessness prematurely took the life of a young NYPD officer,” Katz said in a statement. “We welcome the guilty plea and hope it will provide some solace to Officer Ellis’ loved ones.”