By MOHAMED FARGHALY | mfarghaly@queensledger.com
In a groundbreaking case, the parents of a teen driver were sentenced on child endangerment charges after their son allegedly killed a 14-year-old girl in a high-speed crash. This marks the first time parents have been convicted on such charges in Queens County, and it is believed to be the first prosecution of its kind in New York State.
Parents of a 16-year-old in Queens have been sentenced for child endangerment after their son, driving illegally in a BMW, caused a fatal crash that killed 14-year-old Fortune Williams, highlighting unprecedented legal consequences for enabling underage driving. Photo courtesy of TruthinBytes Twitter
Fortune Williams, 14, was killed in May 2023 after being ejected from a BMW driven by the 16-year-old at over 100 miles per hour. The tragic incident occurred when the BMW collided with a UPS truck, leading to Williams’ death from severe head trauma at the scene.
“The parents of a 16-year-old gave their son a BMW when he did not
have legal authority to drive it anywhere in New York City,” DA Katz said. “We allege that because of that teenager’s actions, 14-year-old Fortune Williams is now dead after she was thrown from the car when it crashed into a UPS truck at more than 100 miles an hour. With this conviction, we have shown that the culpability in a fatal crash can go beyond the driver. Parents who provide vehicles to their children and let them drive illegally can be held responsible in the case of tragedies such as this one. We will continue to seek justice for Fortune Williams and her grieving family.”
The defendant’s father confirmed he had purchased the BMW for his son, despite knowing the legal restrictions on his driving privileges. Prior to the fatal incident, the teenager had been witnessed driving the BMW to school, received a citation for driving without a license, and had a history of traffic violations. These circumstances underscore a tragic outcome stemming from underage driving and parental oversight, prompting legal repercussions for enabling such risky behavior.
The teen’s father, Sean Smith, 40, of Springfield Gardens, pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and was sentenced to three years of probation, along with mandatory parenting classes and attendance at the Victim Impact Panel Program.
The teen’s mother, Deo Ramnarine, 43, also pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and disorderly conduct. She will undergo the same programs, with the possibility of withdrawing her plea if she completes them successfully.
The teen driver, whose name is being withheld because of his age, now 17, faces multiple charges including manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment, and driving without a license. His case is ongoing, and he could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.
According to the investigation, on May 17, 2023, the teen was driving westbound on North Conduit Avenue near 160th Street at a speed calculated at 101 miles per hour, far exceeding the 30-mile-per-hour speed limit. Losing control of the vehicle, he crashed into a parked UPS truck, resulting in the fatal ejection of Williams from the car. A UPS employee was also injured in the crash.
The investigation revealed that the teen had a junior driver’s license prohibiting him from driving in New York City. Despite this, his father admitted to buying the BMW for his son and allowing him to drive. Witnesses from the teen’s school reported seeing him driving the BMW regularly, and he had been ticketed for driving without a license prior to the crash.
Assistant District Attorneys Erin Mullins and Joseph Randazzo are prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Michael Whitney and Roni C. Piplani, with support from the Vehicular Homicide Unit.
This first of its kind case highlights the potential legal consequences for parents who enable underage and unlicensed driving, underscoring the broader implications of parental responsibility in such tragic incidents.
