Brooklyn, NY – An East New York man who sped through three red lights at more than 60 miles per hour before slamming into another vehicle in Downtown Brooklyn, killing a 21-year-old woman and injuring three others, has been sentenced to up to nine years in prison.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Friday that Kashawn Croswell, 28, was sentenced by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jane Tully to an indeterminate term of three to nine years behind bars.
Croswell was convicted on January 22 of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of second-degree assault, reckless driving, excessive speed, and disobeying traffic control signal indications following a jury trial.
Prosecutors said the crash occurred on August 18, 2023, at approximately 3:21 a.m., as Croswell drove southbound on Court Street at speeds reaching 60 miles per hour. Surveillance video showed him running three consecutive red lights at Schermerhorn Street, State Street, and Atlantic Avenue.
After entering the intersection at Court Street and Atlantic Avenue at 62 miles per hour, Croswell T-boned a westbound vehicle that had the right of way, striking the front passenger side.
- Defendant ran three red lights before impact
- Vehicle traveling up to 62 mph at time of crash
- 21-year-old woman killed, three others injured
Fatal impact at Atlantic Avenue intersection
The front-seat passenger in the struck vehicle, Shanti Joyner, 21, suffered multiple blunt impact injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Joyner’s 32-year-old sister, who was driving, sustained an ankle fracture. A 29-year-old rear passenger suffered a wrist fracture.
Following the crash, prosecutors said Croswell exited his vehicle and removed his 24-year-old girlfriend from the passenger seat before the car caught fire. He then attempted to leave the area, dragging her for approximately a block and a half while asking passing motorists if they were Uber drivers.
Authorities said he also attempted to gain entry into a nearby residence but was denied. Bystanders called 911, and police later located Croswell outside the building. His girlfriend, who suffered a spinal fracture, was transported to a hospital.
District Attorney Gonzalez said the defendant’s actions turned a Brooklyn intersection into a deadly scene and emphasized accountability in cases involving reckless driving.
The investigation included digital evidence analysis conducted by the Kings County District Attorney’s Office Digital Evidence Lab.
For broader coverage, see Brooklyn fatal crash cases.
Sentence handed down in Downtown Brooklyn vehicular death case
