Man Indicted for Manslaughter in Fatal Road Rage Collision on Long Island Expressway
Suspect Faces Charges Related to Deadly Crash that Claimed 41-Year-Old Man’s Life
A Queens grand jury has indicted a 26-year-old Long Island man, Shaqeem Douglas, for manslaughter and other related crimes in a fatal road rage collision on the Long Island Expressway in Queensboro Hill in mid-August.
Charges and Incident
According to the charges, at around 3 p.m. on August 14, video surveillance showed a gray Honda sedan driven by Douglas traveling on the Long Island Expressway just west of the Van Wyck Expressway. Douglas allegedly cut off a yellow 2016 Toyota Rav4 SUV, which was operating as a Lyft, transporting two passengers, including 41-year-old Pradeppa Desai, of Elder Avenue in Flushing. The collision caused a chain-reaction, resulting in a 44-year-old man in a 2011 Jeep Wrangler attempting to pass the two stopped vehicles, which ultimately led to Desai’s death.
Arrest and Charges
Douglas was arraigned in Queens Supreme Court on Tuesday for allegedly causing the deadly chain-reaction collision. He is charged with manslaughter in the second degree, assault, leaving the scene of an accident without reporting, tampering with physical evidence, reckless driving, and slow driving. Douglas’ girlfriend, Ariana Seratan, 26, is also facing charges of falsifying business records and insurance fraud.
Incident Details
The incident was captured on video surveillance, which showed Douglas’ Honda sedan causing the initial collision. The subsequent chain-reaction resulted in the Jeep Wrangler rolling onto its side and coming to a rest on the right shoulder of the highway. Desai was rushed by EMS to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens with severe head and body trauma and was pronounced dead later that day. Douglas fled the scene, but was later arrested and charged.
Investigation and Evidence
An investigation revealed that Douglas removed the rear bumper from his damaged Honda sedan and discarded it, while also making a false report to his insurance company. Seratan, the registered owner of the Honda, filed a false report claiming to have been the driver involved in the accident, which authorities found to be a fabrication.
Prosecution’s Statement
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated, "The defendant is accused of driving with a conscious disregard for others, and as a result, caused the death of a visitor to our city, a 41-year-old husband and father. Road rage has no place on highways or on our streets."
Upcoming Court Date
Douglas and Seratan are scheduled to return to court on November 20. If convicted, Douglas faces up to 15 years in prison, while Seratan faces up to four years in prison.
Conclusion
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of road rage and the devastating consequences that can occur when driving becomes a matter of life and death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What were the charges brought against Shaqeem Douglas?
A: Douglas is charged with manslaughter in the second degree, assault, leaving the scene of an accident without reporting, tampering with physical evidence, reckless driving, and slow driving.
Q: What was the nature of the incident that led to Pradeppa Desai’s death?
A: Desai was a passenger in a 2016 Toyota Rav4 SUV that was cut off by the defendant, Shaqeem Douglas, who was driving a gray Honda sedan, causing a chain-reaction collision that resulted in Desai’s death.
Q: What was the involvement of Ariana Seratan, Douglas’ girlfriend?
A: Seratan is charged with falsifying business records and insurance fraud, as she made a false report to her insurance company about the incident, claiming to have been the driver involved and making false claims about the accident.
Q: What is the possible punishment for the defendants if convicted?
A: Douglas faces up to 15 years in prison, while Seratan faces up to four years in prison.
