Bay Shore Man Stole SUV, Killed Pedestrian In DWI Crash: DA

Prosecutors said Alexander Cerda struck a pedestrian in a stolen SUV, took photos of the damage and drove away.

By Kepherd Daniel, Patch Staff

Oct 1, 2026 10:45 AM EDT

Alexander Cerda, 23, of Bay Shore, pleaded guilty in connection with a fatal 2025 DWI crash, prosecutors said. (Courtesy Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office)

BAY SHORE, NY — A Bay Shore man pleaded guilty after prosecutors said he stole an SUV while intoxicated, fatally struck a pedestrian on Main Street and then fled the scene in March 2025.

Alexander Cerda, 23, pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, third-degree grand larceny, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

According to court documents and Cerda's admissions during his guilty plea, Cerda broke a window at a Bay Shore home at about 2 a.m. on March 8, 2025, and stole an unlocked Toyota RAV4 from the driveway.

Surveillance video captured Cerda, who prosecutors said was intoxicated, driving away in the vehicle.

About 10 minutes later, Cerda was driving west on Main Street at a high rate of speed with the SUV's headlights off when he struck Eric Perez, 52, of Bay Shore, prosecutors said. The impact threw Perez a considerable distance down the street.

Cerda stopped and got out of the SUV, but instead of remaining to help Perez, he took several photographs of the damage to the vehicle while bystanders attempted to render aid, according to prosecutors.

Perez was pronounced dead at the scene.

When police arrived, prosecutors said Cerda got back into the stolen SUV and drove away.

Detectives found the damaged vehicle the following day in the parking lot of an apartment complex near Cerda's home. Prosecutors arrested Cerda on March 12, 2025.

Cerda pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 8, 2027, and is expected to receive six to 18 years in prison, according to the DA's office.

Cerda is represented by attorney George Duncan, who was not immediately available for comment.

"Every decision this defendant made on March 8, 2025, was worse than the next," Tierney said. "While drunk, he stole a car and sped away without headlights. After striking Eric Perez, an innocent pedestrian, the defendant chose to flee instead of staying on the scene to help render aid to this victim, who ultimately died."