Westchester Grand Jury Indicts Driver In Triple-Fatal Rollover

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — The driver in a high-speed rollover in September that killed his three passengers was indicted June 8 on three counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, the Westchester County District Attorney announced Wednesday.

Prosecutors accused Yordany Bautista Hernandez of traveling 119 mph in a 50 mph zone on the eastbound Cross County Parkway in Mount Vernon in the early morning hours of Sept. 25. His 2019 Toyota Camry struck a guard rail and rolled over, they said.

Maria Vasquez Guzman, 16, of the Bronx; Garibaldy Reyes Jerez, 22, of Manhattan; and John Pena Martinez, 24, of the Bronx all died in the crash.

Bautista Hernandez, 20, sustained minor injuries.

"This tragedy has caused enormous sadness and pain for the families and loved ones of the three victims," said Westchester DA Miriam E. Rocah. "We hope that our efforts to hold the driver accountable for his reckless actions will help bring them some peace and closure."

The collision was investigated by Westchester County Police patrol officers and Accident Investigation Team and detectives from the General Investigations Unit.

"The deaths of these three young people were enormous tragedies for their families and all who knew and loved them. I commend our officers and detectives for their detailed and diligent investigation," said Westchester County Public Safety Commissioner Thomas A. Gleason. "I would like to thank the District Attorney’s Office for its partnership and support during the investigation and grand jury process."

The case is before Judge David Zuckerman in Westchester County Court, and is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney and Deputy Chief of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau Dan Flecha.

The charges against the defendant represent accusations and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, prosecutors said.