NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A woman was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the 2023 fatal roadway crash of an Uber passenger that happened while racing with others on a Queens expressway, District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Tuesday.
Melissa Rodriguez-Lopez, 29, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty earlier this month to manslaughter in the first degree and assault in the first degree.
According to the charges, at approximately 3 a.m. on May 27, 2023, Rodriguez-Lopez drove her 2015 Lexus RC350 at a speed of approximately 123 mph while racing with other vehicles in the vicinity of the Whitestone Bridge and Cross Island Expressway.
Rodriguez-Lopez, who had a passenger in her car at the time, slammed into the rear of a Toyota Corolla transporting 62-year-old Uber passenger identified as Steven Spaulding of Brooklyn.
The force of the collision caused extensive damage to both cars including the deployment of Rodriguez-Lopez's airbags, authorities said.
The victim later died due to extensive spinal injuries leading to fatal stroke. The Uber driver also sustained significant injuries to his neck and body.
Rodriguez-Lopez and her passenger got into the vehicle of another racer and left the scene of the collision without identifying themselves to the driver of the Corolla or notifying police, prosecutors said.
She filed a stolen vehicle report at the NYPD's 52nd Precinct in the Bronx later that morning.
Video footage showed that at the time Rodriguez-Lopez filed the report, she had visible arm injuries consistent with the deployment of the vehicle's airbags. Rodriguez-Lopez claimed she was with a friend the entire day.
Vehicle data from the Lexus provided investigators with the speed at the time of the crash, officials said.
"Racing on our highways and similar pursuits are not merely thrill-seeking escapades, they are a deadly threat to public safety. In this case, a man tragically lost his life as he rode in a for-hire vehicle," DA Katz said. "We are grateful that we were able to provide justice for the victim and hope the sentence provides a measure of solace to his loved ones."
