Defendant Was High on Marijuana While Behind the Wheel
A Queens man pleaded guilty to causing a fatal high-speed crash on the Southern State Parkway that killed his 21-year-old sister and another 23-year-old female passenger.
On January 12, 2025, at approximately 11:05 p.m., Jaden D’Souza was driving a 2016 Dodge Dart eastbound on the Southern State Parkway near Exit 30, carrying his sister, 21-year-old Haily D’Souza, and 23-year-old Crystal Alba-Figueroa in the backseat, and another 23-year-old male passenger in the front seat.
D’Souza was traveling in and out of lanes at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle, drove off the road, and crashed into a tree on the grassy shoulder. The vehicle came to rest upside down on the shoulder.
Alba-Figueroa was ejected from the defendant’s vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Haily D’Souza was trapped in the rear passenger seat and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 23-year-old male passenger was taken to Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) with serious physical injuries, including spinal fractures and a traumatic brain injury. The defendant was transported to NUMC and treated for his injuries.
During the crash, a spare tire became dislodged from the defendant’s vehicle and struck another vehicle traveling eastbound on the Southern State Parkway, causing that vehicle to crash into a guardrail, injuring the driver.
During the investigation of the crash, police recovered several cannabis products in the crash debris and in the vehicle, including THC-infused products, rolling papers, a bong, and lighters.
A search warrant for the defendant’s hospital blood taken the evening of the crash revealed the sample contained a high level of the active and impairing component of cannabis.
The event data recorder inside the defendant’s vehicle showed that the defendant was driving 123 miles per hour when he lost control of the vehicle.
Jaden D’Souza, 20. was arrested at NUMC on January 13, 2025, by members of the New York State Police. He pleaded guilty on March 23, 2026, before Judge Caryn Fink to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a Class B felony); two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a Class C felony); Assault in the Second Degree (a Class D violent felony); Assault in the Third Degree (a Class A misdemeanor); and Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs (an unclassified misdemeanor).
He is due back in court on May 8, 2026, and is expected to be sentenced to 7 to 18 years in prison. NCDA recommended a sentence of 7 to 21 years in prison.
“This defendant, high on marijuana, handled his car like he was playing an arcade game, zipping through traffic and speeding along the bends and curves of the Southern State Parkway at more than 120 miles per hour,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “His reckless disregard for his passengers — his family and friends — ended with his sister and a friend dead, and another passenger who is lucky to be alive today.”
“Too many drivers are taking risks while driving high or showing off at excessive speeds without considering the deadly consequences of their actions,” Donnelly said. “This epidemic on our roadways must end, and I hope that this prosecution serves as an example for drivers of the accountability they will face if they get behind the wheel impaired and cause a tragic crash.”