Driver Near Double The Speed Limit Before Deadly Inwood Crash: DA

INWOOD, NY — A driver that was speeding at nearly twice the limit before a crash that killed two people in Inwood was charged with manslaughter on Monday, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office announced.

Leandro Diaz-Ramirez, 28, was driving a BMW at approximately 59 mph in a 25 mph zone at 4 a.m. on Aug. 3, the DA's office said. He then proceeded to run a red light at the intersection of Sherman Avenue and 207th Street and T-bone a Subaru that was driving through a green light at the same intersection, according to the DA's office.

The crash caused the Subaru to skid onto the sidewalk and strike two pedestrians — Joel Adames, 31, and David Fernandez, 40 — both of whom were killed.

“As alleged, this reckless speeding and driving ended in tragedy,” said District Attorney Alvin Bragg, in a news release. “Manhattanites should not be killed by drivers when they are simply walking in their neighborhood. We will continue to protect the safety of pedestrians and drivers on our streets.”

Adames was a friend of the music artist Cardi B, who shared a social media post about his death, reported PIX11.

"Stupidness, negligence, I hope the worst to who committed this! she wrote. "Took someone sooo loved, full of life and just all around amazing leaving people destroyed..RIP JOEL."

The driver of the Subaru also broke several ribs and his pelvis, according to the DA's office.

Here is the full list of charges against Diaz-Ramirez, announced by the DA's office.

• Manslaughter in the Second Degree, two counts
• Assault in the Second Degree, one count
• Criminally Negligent Homicide, two counts
• Assault in the Third Degree, three counts