Drunken Driver Who Blamed Girlfriend For Fatal BK Crash Sentenced: DA

Park Slope NY

17 May, 2022

10:14 AM

Description

BROOKLYN, NY — A drunken driver will spend up to 10 years in prison after fatally striking a motorcyclist then telling cops his girlfriend had been behind the wheel, prosecutors announced. Christopher Diaz, 26, was sentenced Monday in Brooklyn Supreme Court after pleading guilty to a fatal Kensington motorcycle crash that claimed the life of 28-year-old Evvon Alexander in May 2019, the Brooklyn District Attorney's office said. "This defendant's recklessness robbed an innocent young father of his life, leaving a family devastated and a community in mourning," said District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. "There is no excuse for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and I am committed to holding accountable anyone who compromises the safety of Brooklyn's streets." Diaz's sentencing arrives about three years after the night he downed more than a six-pack of beer and sped off at 80 mph in his girlfriend's sedan, prosecutors said. The Brooklyn man slammed into Alexander, who was riding his motorcycle near Beverly Road and Ocean Parkway about 4 a.m. on May 27, 2019, prosecutors said. Alexander's bike was ripped in half and the young father was killed, said prosecutors. Jasmin Morales-Cruz, 26, quickly agreed to cover for Diaz and say she had been behind the wheel when Alexander was killed, according to prosecutors. But Investigators soon found tape of Diaz climbing into the driver's seat and text messages asking two passengers to lie and say he hadn't been driving, the DA said. Cops caught up with Diaz hiding in his girlfriend's closet and put him under arrest, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors said Morales-Cruz pleaded guilty for lying on her boyfriend's behalf and awaits sentencing.