QUEENS, NEW YORK — Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today the arraignment of Umar Khan, 21, on charges including criminally negligent homicide following a high-speed crash that resulted in the death of two teenagers. The incident, which occurred on January 29, 2023, involved Khan driving at nearly 100 mph on the JFK Expressway ramp, losing control of his vehicle, and crashing onto the Belt Parkway below.
Khan, a resident of Queens Village, faces a five-count indictment, including two counts of criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving, and speeding violations. Justice Marcia Hirsch has ordered Khan to return to court on March 4. If convicted, he could serve up to four years in prison.
The crash claimed the lives of Sukhmani Singh, 18, of Bellerose, and Ronish Kush, 16, of New Hyde Park. Singh, who was pinned inside the vehicle, was pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Kush was ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. The victims were reportedly picking up Khan from JFK Airport at the time of the accident.
DA Katz emphasized the tragedy of the young lives lost due to reckless driving and assured that her office would seek justice for the victims and their families.
