Arrest Made In Death Of Man Clinging To Car Hood; Video Released

YONKERS, NY — Police have arrested and charged a woman in the death of her live-in boyfriend who was on video clinging to the hood of her speeding car moments before his death.

New details and security video have been released from Saturday's early morning fatal crash at Eugenia Maria De Hostos Microsociety School.

A 2012 Subaru Forrester crashed through the Stanley Place access gate to the school property and struck a concrete barrier before impacting the north wall of the school building, according to police. A male victim was found on the ground near the barrier. A female accident victim was in the operator’s seat of the car.

SEE ALSO: Man Hanging On To Hood Of Girlfriend's Car Killed In Crash: YPD

The male was given CPR, but he was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female was taken to a local area hospital. There were no other injuries reported.

Detectives from the Major Case Squad, Crime Scene Unit and Digital Forensics Unit, along with accident investigators, responded to the scene and interviewed subjects and witnesses, recovered surveillance video, processed forensic evidence and reconstructed the accident. Investigators learned the male victim and woman believed to be driving were in a relationship and it is believed that they were drinking at a residence on Stanley Avenue prior to the crash.

An argument broke out between the couple, according to police. The woman driving, now identified as Mercedes Vargas, attempted to leave in the Forrester. The male victim, now identified as Martires Susana-Pena, at some point ended up on the hood of the car.

Detectives said Susana-Pena may have been trying to prevent the female operator from driving in a drunken state. The 43-year-old woman then sped south on Stanley Avenue with her partner still on the hood and crossed Ludlow Street onto Stanley Place and crashed through the access gate before striking the barrier and school wall. The car traveled a total distance of about 260 yards, police said.

The 42-year-old man suffered fatal traumatic injuries to his head and body and Vargas suffered injuries consistent with a vehicle collision, police reported. She is expected to recover from her injuries.

Vargas was arrested and charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter, Felony DWI. She was arraigned in Yonkers Criminal Court and remanded into the custody of the Westchester County Department of Corrections. Her next court date is scheduled for September 10.