Rockland Teen Takes Plea Deal In Fatal Congers Car Crash

NEW CITY, NY — A Rockland County teenager involved in one of the spring's fatal car crashes has pleaded guilty, Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh announced.

Alan Mendoza of New City pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide in Rockland County Court Monday before Judge Kevin F. Russo.

On the evening of May 6 on Congers Road, Mendoza struck two other vehicles after crossing over a double yellow line. He then crashed his vehicle into a tree. He was intoxicated at the time.

One passenger, a 16-year-old student at Clarkstown High School North, died from injuries he sustained during the crash. Another, a 17-year-old girl, sustained a serious physical injury.

It was the second fatal crash involving intoxicated teenagers in Rockland County in a two-week period.

Mendoza, who was 18 at the time, originally faced seven felony charges and one misdemeanor charge: one count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (felony), one count of Aggravated Vehicular Assault (felony), one count of Manslaughter in the 2nd (felony), two counts of Assault 2nd (felony), Vehicular manslaughter in the 2nd (felony), Driving While Intoxicated (felony) and Reckless Driving.

Mendoza is expected to be sentenced to 16 months to four years in state prison, Walsh said.

“This plea of guilt by Mr. Mendoza today will hopefully allow the family of the young male victim a sense of closure," he said. "Our entire community mourns the senseless loss of a Rockland teenager’s life. My office and the Clarkstown Police Department worked tirelessly to ensure justice was served."

The sentencing is scheduled for May 26.

Three deadly crashes in the spring involved young people:

• 1 Teen Dead, 1 Due In Court After 1-Car Crash
• Congers Crash: Victim Dies, Driver Faces Homicide, More Charges
• Victim Of Overpass Crash ID'd By Police