Roosevelt man arraigned on charges he killed girlfriend in street race, DA says

A Roosevelt man raced another driver at excessive speeds through the streets of Plainview last year before crashing his vehicle into the second story of a home, killing his 19-year-old girlfriend, Nassau prosecutors said.

Kevin Reyes, 19, was arraigned Tuesday after being indicted on one count of second-degree manslaughter, two counts each of second- and third-degree assault and second-degree reckless endangerment, and one count of fourth-degree criminal mischief.

County Court Judge Helene Gugerty ordered Reyes held on $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond. He faces a maximum sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

“Street racing is a dangerous activity that jeopardizes the lives of everyone on our roadways and often leads to death and life-changing injuries,” Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas said in a statement. “This defendant’s alleged actions led to the death of an innocent 19-year-old woman."

But Robert Brunetti, Reyes' Mineola-based attorney, said his client denied being involved in a street race and said he was being followed by another vehicle. 

"These charges are artificially inflated and not warranted," Brunetti said. "Speed was a factor but that does not give rise to a manslaughter charge."

On Nov. 12, 2017, Reyes, his girlfriend Shakira Garcia of Westbury,  and two other passengers were on Old Country Road at 4:15 a.m. after attending a party in Staten Island celebrating Garcia's birthday when they pulled up to another vehicle just east of Manetto Hill Road, prosecutors said.

The two vehicles then raced at high speeds east on Old Country Road until Reyes lost control of his black 2004 Acura and flipped the vehicle into the second story of a home on Round Swamp Road, authorities said.

Garcia, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind a 2-year-old son. Reyes and the two backseat passengers suffered nonlife-threatening injuries.

 The backseat passengers were identified as Manuel Garcia and Oscar Chacon-Diaz. Their ages and hometowns were not available.

Reyes turned himself in to Nassau police Tuesday following a yearlong investigation, prosecutors said. He is due back in court on Oct. 23.

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.