Nassau DA: Queens Man Sentenced to Up to 7 ½ Years in Prison for Killing Passenger in Drunk Driving Crash
Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Queens man was sentenced today to two and a half to seven and a half years in prison for crashing into a utility pole while intoxicated and speeding and killing his 32-year-old passenger in December 2021.
Kwesi Williams, 43, pleaded guilty on June 5, 2024, before Judge Robert McDonald to Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a C felony) and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol (an A misdemeanor).
The defendant was sentenced today to two and a half to seven and a half years in prison. NCDA recommended a sentence of four to 12 years in prison.
“Kwesi Williams’ reckless and irresponsible decisions caused a catastrophic chain of events that ended the life of Sadayah Furet,” said DA Donnelly. “Williams was driving more than twice the speed limited and intoxicated when he struck a parked car and then launched his vehicle into a utility pole. Driving while intoxicated is a selfish choice and can quickly lead to the tragic deaths of innocent people. Our thoughts continue to be with Sadayah’s family as they mourn her loss.”
DA Donnelly said that on December 3, 2021, at approximately 2:04 a.m. near 272 Elmont Road in Elmont, Williams, driving at a high rate of speed, crossed over the roadway, struck a parked, unoccupied vehicle, and crashed into a utility pole.
The defendant’s passenger, 32-year-old Sadayah Furet, suffered extensive injuries to her head and neck, multiple broken bones, and damage to several major organs, including her lungs and heart.
She was taken to NYU Langone Hospital Long Island where she was pronounced deceased at 3:33 a.m.
Data recovered from the vehicle revealed that at the time of the collision the defendant was driving 74 mph in a 30-mph zone.
A search warrant for the defendant’s blood taken at the hospital also revealed that his blood alcohol content was 0.10% approximately an hour and 15 minutes after the crash.
Williams was arrested at NYU Langone Hospital Long Island by members of the Nassau County Police Department Homicide Squad on December 3, 2021.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Stephanie Dellinger of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Chief Michael Bushwack and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Litigation Division Kevin Higgins. The defendant is represented by Justin Feinman, Esq.