Brooklyn man indicted for manslaughter after deadly school bus crash kills passenger

by
April 9, 2025
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BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A Brooklyn man has been arraigned on a manslaughter indictment after allegedly speeding through a stop sign and crashing into a school bus, killing his 26-year-old passenger and injuring the driver before attempting to flee the scene in an Uber.

Key Points

  • Tyree Epps, 32, indicted on manslaughter and multiple related charges
  • Crash killed passenger Imani Vance and injured school bus driver
  • Defendant allegedly fled in an Uber before being caught by police

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced that Tyree Epps, 32, was arraigned before Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo on charges including second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, and leaving the scene of an incident. Epps was ordered held without bail and is due back in court on June 20.

The crash occurred around 1:15 p.m. on February 27, when Epps allegedly ran a stop sign at a high rate of speed while driving a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 southbound on Van Sinderen Avenue. He then struck a school bus traveling on Blake Avenue in East New York, causing his passenger, Imani Vance, to be thrown into the windshield.

Passenger killed, driver injured

Vance, 26, was rushed to Brookdale Hospital, where she was pronounced dead from blunt impact injuries, including a fatal heart laceration. The school bus, which had no passengers on board, collided with a third unoccupied vehicle. The 57-year-old female bus driver suffered minor injuries.

Prosecutors said the defendant showed “a shocking disregard for human life and safety” by allegedly fleeing the crash site instead of helping the victim.

Attempted getaway ends in arrest

After the collision, Epps allegedly fled on foot and jumped into an Uber, instructing the driver to leave the scene. Police were able to track the vehicle and stopped it, prompting Epps to flee again on foot before being apprehended by NYPD officers.

Charges against Epps also include disobeying stop signs, speeding, and operating a vehicle without a license.

Tyree Epps is being held without bail following a fatal crash that prosecutors say was marked by reckless driving and an attempted escape.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital news organization covering New Jersey, national politics, public policy, public safety, and community affairs. With years of experience reporting on local government, elections, law enforcement, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey, Stilton has built a reputation for delivering timely news, in-depth reporting, and accountability journalism.

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