New Rochelle Man, 21, Pleads Guilty to Vehicular Manslaughter, Other Charges

Juan Barragan-Reyes, 21, of New Rochelle pleaded guilty Tuesday to multiple counts of vehicular manslaughter and related charges in connection with 2013 police chase where Barragan-Reyes crashed his car and killed Shaquan Jackson, a passenger in the car.

The incident occurred on Oct. 6, 2013, just before midnight after Barragan-Reyes sped off from his girlfriend’s apartment on 4th Street with an officer in pursuit. Barragan-Reyes’ vehicle crashed into a tree and retaining wall a short time later on Webster Avenue.

Below is the press release from Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore about the guilty plea. Barragan-Reyes, who faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, is scheduled to be sentenced in January:

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that Juan Barragan-Reyes (DOB 11/09/92) of 88 Horton Avenue New Rochelle, New York pled guilty today to:

• one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony,
• two counts of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, class “D” Felonies,
• one count of Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer, a class “D” Felony,
• two counts of Driving While Intoxicated, class “A” Misdemeanors,
• one count of Reckless Driving, a class “A” Misdemeanor under the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law,
• one count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, a class “A” Misdemeanor under the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law,
• one count of Speeding, a Violation of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law,
• one count of Harassment in the Second Degree, a Violation,
• one count of Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, a Violation.

relating to the death of Shaquan Jackson.

On October 6th, 2013, at approximately 11:55 p.m., a New Rochelle police officer was interviewing the defendant’s girlfriend, in front of her apartment on 4th St., regarding a domestic violence incident when the defendant drove up, in a Honda, stopped briefly, pointed his right index finger at his girlfriend and then drove away at a high rate of speed.

The victim was observed sitting in the front passenger seat.

The police officer entered his marked car and began to follow the defendant observing him driving at a high rate of speed through red lights at several intersections before losing sight of the defendant’s vehicle in the vicinity of Webster Ave. and Eastchester Rd.

The police officer continued to locate the defendant, who he came upon shortly after midnight on October 7th, in front of 754 Webster Ave.

The defendant’s vehicle had hit a tree and a retaining wall, before flipping over.

Neither man was wearing a seatbelt and both were ejected through the passenger door.

The deceased laying on his back approximately 29 feet in front of the Honda and the defendant was found a few minutes later lying on his back approximately 87 feet in front of the vehicle. Both men were alive but unresponsive.

The deceased was taken to Jacobi Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1:48 a.m.

The defendant was taken to Sound Shore Hospital.

Search Warrants were obtained for the defendant’s blood and urine.

The defendant was subsequently arrested by New Rochelle police.

Sentencing will be on January 27th, 2015.

He faces a maximum sentence of fifteen years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Heide Mason of the Superior Court Trial Division is prosecuting the case.

Photo: Juan Barragan-Reyes. Photo credit: Westchester County District Attorney’s office