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Fatal I-95 Crash Suspect Arraigned On 11-Count Indictment

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – A Norwalk, Conn., man was arraigned Wednesday in county court on multiple felony charges in connection with a late-night car crash in Rye that killed one and injured two others.

Photo Credit: File

Jose Ramirez, 25, was accused of driving drunk at about 90 mph in a 55-mph zone at 2:25 a.m. Feb. 28. His blood alcohol content was 0.13. The defendant then crashed into a Department of Transportation truck parked on a “safe zone” gravel median strip on Interstate 95 at the intersection of Interstate 287 in the City of Rye, according to the Westchester District Attorney’s Office.  

After Ramirez’s car spun out and hit the divider, the DOT truck flipped over. The driver required multiple surgeries to repair two torn rotator cuffs in his shoulders and torn ligaments in both knees.

The front-seat passenger in Ramirez’s car, Kellman Villa-Santos, was pronounced dead at the scene. His back seat passenger, Emmanuel Gonzalez, suffered a traumatic brain injury, paralysis, loss of memory and other injuries. He was rushed to Stamford Hospital.       

The defendant was arraigned Wednesday on an 11-count indictment charging him with:

  • two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, Class B felonies,
  • one count of aggravated vehicular assault, a Class C felony,
  • one count of manslaughter in the second degree, a Class C felony,
  • one count of vehicular assault in the first degree, a Class D felony,
  • two counts of vehicular assault in the second degree, Class D felonies,
  • two counts of driving while intoxicated, Class A misdemeanors under the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law,
  • one count of speeding under the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law,
  • one count of reckless driving under the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.

Bail was continued at $75,000. Ramirez is due back in court Dec. 22. The defendant faces up to 25 years in prison.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Paula Branca-Santos of the Superior Court Trial Division is prosecuting the case.

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