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December 8, 2023
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
My office brought charges against an unlicensed teenage driver and his parents this week in connection with a gruesome auto collision that killed a 14-year-old passenger in Jamaica.

The teen's BMW, a gift from his parents, split in half after crashing at more than 100 miles an hour into a parked UPS truck on a busy street. The victim, Fortune Williams, was ejected from her seat and pronounced dead at the scene.

The unlicensed driver, 16 at the time, is charged with manslaughter and reckless driving. While his junior license allowed him to drive when accompanied by a licensed adult driver, the defendant was alone in the car with the victim at the time of the May 17 crash.

Prior to the fatal collision, witnesses from the defendant's school began seeing him regularly driving the same BMW unaccompanied by an adult. He was ticketed in November 2022 for driving without a license and driving while using a cell phone.

We will argue that the horrific car crash that took Fortune Williams’ young life was the result of recklessness and negligence, not only on the part of the minor behind the wheel, but the adults who put him in the driver’s seat. His parents are charged with endangering the welfare of a child and permitting unlicensed operation.

Keeping the streets of Queens safe is a shared responsibility. When getting behind the wheel, let us all remember that everyone on the road — drivers, passengers, bicyclists, pedestrians — is entitled to return to their loved ones unharmed.

My top priority will always be keeping you and your loved ones safe.

In Friendship,

Melinda Katz
Queens District Attorney
Cases of Interest
  • Motorist charged with manslaughter in death of 3-year-old run over in Queens 
  • Tenant charged for shooting building superintendent, firing at responding police officers
  • Queens man charged with rape, assault, robbery in crime spree targeting spas
Cold Case
If you have information regarding Rose Gilbert and John Dalton, killed in Sunnyside 18 years ago, contact NYPD Crimestoppers by calling 800-577-TIPS, or through the online form.

It is never too late for justice.
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
I joined U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, my fellow District Attorneys and the NYPD this week for the unveiling of the progress report on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA).

Championed by Senator Gillibrand and the first major gun safety law passed by Congress in decades, BSCA takes a comprehensive approach in the fight against gun violence — taking down firearms traffickers while dedicating substantial funding to mental and behavioral health care in the United States.

Working together with our legislative and law enforcement partners, my office will continue to use every tool at our disposal to stem the tide of gun violence in this country. I thank Senator Gillibrand for her leadership on this issue.
Queens Civic Congress
The Queens Civic Congress (QCC) represents more than 100 civic and community organizations throughout the borough. It was a pleasure to attend their recent annual legislative luncheon and speak about my office's efforts to keep Queens safe.

This year's reception also honored women in civics and I thank these leaders for their outstanding service to the community.
2023 Thomas E. Dewey Medal
The New York City Bar Association presented its annual Thomas E. Dewey Medal to outstanding assistant district attorneys in each of the city’s five DA’s offices as well as the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor.

Congratulations to all the recipients on this important recognition, including our very own Peter McCormack III (below, center), Senior Deputy Chief in the Homicide Bureau. Pete's dedication and devotion to a lifetime of public service, which has spanned 37 years as an ADA, cannot be overstated.
From left: Daniel Alonso of the Dewey Awards committee, Lisa DelPizzo of New York County, Thomas G. Van Noy of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, James Goward of Bronx County, Peter McCormack III of Queens County, Thomas Litsky of Richmond County, Miss Gregory of Kings County, Susan J. Kohlmann, President of the New York City Bar Association, Honorable Michael J. Garcia of the New York State Court of Appeals.
Alley Pond Environment Center
The Alley Pond Park Environmental Center is a beacon of learning, discovery and environmental sustainability. It has inspired generations of New Yorkers to take part in conservation efforts and learn about the importance of preserving wetlands.

This week, APEC unveiled its new facility -- a project that has been years in the making. I was proud to support this noteworthy endeavor during my tenure as Borough President.

I congratulate APEC leadership on this achievement and wish them continued success!
Happy Hanukkah!
I'd like to wish a Happy Hanukkah to our friends and neighbors who began their weeklong celebration last night.

May your Festival of Lights be filled with joy, laughter and time spent with loved ones.

Chag Hanukkah sameach!