STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A New Jersey man facing murder charges in a fatal crash nearly five years ago on Staten Island has pleaded guilty to resolve his case.
Prince Nesbitt-Hall, 23, of Rahway, copped to lesser charges of first-degree assault during a Dec. 8 court appearance. In exchange for his plea, he’s scheduled to be sentenced to 17 years of incarceration and five years of post-release supervision.
A Manhattan-based defense attorney who was retained in the case did not immediately return a request for comment Monday.
Justice Alexander B. Jeong adjourned the case to Jan. 20 for sentencing. Per standard procedure, the defendant will first have to clear a pre-sentencing interview with a probation officer to assess his sincerity in accepting responsibility for the charges.
High rate of speed, authorities allege
On the evening of Feb. 16, 2021, Nesbitt-Hall was driving at a high rate of speed in a stolen, 2020 Honda Accord, authorities said.
He blew through a stop sign at the intersection of Elson Street and Lamberts Lane in Graniteville, where he crashed into a 2013 Mercedes-Benz, according to law enforcement officials.
“Tragically, Nesbitt-Hall’s vehicle struck a fellow motorist traveling eastbound on Lamberts Lane,” said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon in a statement.
The defendant blew through a stop sign at the intersection of Elson Street and Lamberts Lane in Graniteville, where he crashed into a 2013 Mercedes-Benz, according to law enforcement officials.
(Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
Authorities said that as officers in the area were searching for the defendant, he walked for 20 minutes to the 121st Precinct stationhouse, where he told officers he had been robbed. “Thankfully, officers were dubious of the defendant,” McMahon said.
Upon realizing officers had become suspicious, he then fled the stationhouse but was apprehended soon after and later charged in the crash, the Advance/SILive.com previously reported.
The defendant, meanwhile, already is serving a prison sentence in New Jersey. He was sentenced in January to seven years in prison for multiple offenses including a robbery in Essex County.
S.I. family in mourning
In the aftermath of the crash, authorities identified the victims as a married couple from Bulls Head — Shahzad Akhund, 70, and his wife Kauser Akhund, 68.
McMahon, in his statement, shared his condolences to the family of the victims.
“While there’s nothing we can do to bring back Kauser and Shahzad, we hope that the conclusion of this case brings peace and solace to their friends and loved ones, and we extend our deepest condolences to the entire Akhund family.”
McMahon went on to commend NYPD officers, investigators and Assistant District Attorney Alva Prenga, chief of the vehicular crimes unit, for their efforts in securing a conviction.