Unlicensed Driver In Fatal Cross County Crash Charged With Homicide

MOUNT VERNON, NY — The repercussions of a tragedy on the Cross County Parkway more than a year ago are still being felt by everyone involved.

A Mount Vernon man was arraigned on an indictment charging him for causing a high-speed December 2021 crash that left two passengers dead and another severely injured, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah announced on Thursday.

"The defendant’s alleged reckless and dangerous behavior cost two people their lives and severely injured another," Rocah said in a statement announcing the indictment. "My Office remains committed to fully and thoroughly investigating vehicular fatalities and prosecuting drivers who jeopardize the safety of our roadways in Westchester County."

SEE ALSO: Fatal 2-Car Crash Closes Hutch Ramp At Cross County For Hours

Anthony Rose, 20, was indicted by a Westchester County Grand Jury for two counts of manslaughter in the second degree, two counts of criminally negligent homicide and assault in the second degree, all felonies. He was also indicted for assault in the third degree and reckless driving, both misdemeanors.

Rose was arraigned in Westchester County Court on Thursday and bail was set.

On December 18, 2021, shortly before 5:30 a.m., Rose is accused of driving without a license and with his headlights off, in excess of 100 miles per hour with three passengers in his car on the Cross County Parkway before nearly hitting one car, striking a second vehicle, and ultimately crashing head-on into a tree.

Mount Vernon resident Noelina Pantaleon, 20, died at the scene, and Mount Vernon resident Harry Jonathan Hurst, 19, was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, where he remained with a traumatic brain injury until he died on March 7, 2022. A third passenger, Nyaquae Henderson, 20, of Mount Vernon, was taken to the hospital and treated for a traumatic brain injury. She is still in rehab.

The Westchester County Department of Public Safety arrested Rose on Thursday. The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office assisted with the investigation.

The case is is being prosecuted by Vehicular Crimes Bureau Chief Jonathan Strongin of the Trials and Investigations Division.