QUEENS, NY — In a significant legal proceeding, the parents of a teen driver have been sentenced for endangering the welfare of a child, marking a precedent in cases where parental actions contribute to juvenile delinquency and subsequent tragedies. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the groundbreaking outcome, emphasizing the broader implications of parental responsibility in such incidents.
The case stemmed from an incident involving the couple’s 16-year-old son, who was involved in a fatal collision that claimed the life of 14-year-old Fortune Williams. The teen, driving a BMW at over 100 miles per hour, collided with a UPS truck, leading to Williams’s death from severe head trauma. The accident occurred on May 17, 2023, at around 6:38 PM on North Conduit Avenue, where the posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour.
Sean Smith, 40, the teen’s father, has been sentenced to three years of probation after pleading guilty to endangering the welfare of a child. His sentence includes a mandatory 26-week parenting class and participation in the Victim Impact Panel Program. Supreme Court Justice Michael Yavinsky presided over the sentencing.
Deo Ramnarine, 43, the teen’s mother, also pled guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and disorderly conduct. She faces similar sentencing conditions as Smith, with the additional possibility of withdrawing her plea to the endangerment charge upon successful completion of her programs, reducing her conviction to disorderly conduct.
The legal proceedings for their son, now 17, continue, with charges including manslaughter and multiple counts of assault. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top charge. His reckless driving history and the tragic consequences of his actions underscore significant concerns about underage driving and parental accountability.
