Jail First For Speeder Who Killed New Rochelle Man

A Mount Vernon man who killed a 22-year-old while driving recklessly through New Rochelle has started his jail term before being sentenced. Westchester County Court Judge Barry Warhit incarcerated Ramel Douglas Thursday and scheduled his sentencing for Jan. 30, 2020.

At that time, he will be sentenced to time served of eight months followed by five years’ probation, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. said.

Douglas pleaded guilty Feb. 28, 2018, to one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class E felony. He had originally been indicted by a Westchester County Grand Jury on the following charges: Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class E felony, Assault in the Third Degree, and Reckless Driving, both misdemeanors.

On the night of June 21, 2016, Douglas was driving at high speeds in a residential section of Lincoln Avenue in New Rochelle. His vehicle struck another car side on. Jyrel Daniel of New Rochelle was a passenger in the backseat. Daniel suffered severe injuries and, months later, died from those injuries.

Douglas was 27 at the time. Daniel was 22.

In the courtroom, the victim’s mother, Muriel Daniel, expressed her anguish at the tragic loss of her son. Calling it a “cruel nightmare,” she spoke directly to the defendant, “I never imagined a life without my son... You took a part of me. I wish you knew the pain of losing a child.” And she added, “I hate you.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Christine O’Connor, Chief of the Homicide Bureau, and Daniel Flecha, Deputy Bureau Chief of the Narcotics and Firearms Division.

SEE: Speeding Mt Vernon Man Killed New Rochelle Man: DA