YONKERS (1010 WINS) -- Five men were killed in a horrific two-car crash in Yonkers on Tuesday night, police said.
Four young men in a silver Nissan and one man in a white Infiniti sedan were killed when the cars collided at Riverdale Avenue and Culver Street around 9:30 p.m.
Police said the Infiniti was traveling southbound on Riverdale Avenue at an extreme rate of speed when it struck the Nissan, resulting in "catastrophic" damage.
The four men inside the Nissan were pronounced dead at the scene and the fifth man in the Infiniti was pronounced dead at an area trauma center, police said.
Police said Wednesday afternoon that officers had spotted the Infiniti with equipment violations operating erratically around 9:23 p.m. They tried to stop the car, and although the driver initially appeared to pull over, he then sped off down Riverdale Avenue.
Police said officers followed the driver, but the Infiniti sped up, ultimately colliding with the Nissan at Culver Street. The force of the impact split the Nissan in half. All four men inside were ejected from the vehicle, police said.
The men in the Nissan were identified as Brandon Sierra, Randy Brisbane, Tamari Watkins and Anthony Cruz. All of them were 18 years old and from Yonkers.
The driver of the Infiniti was identified as 36-year-old Devon Haywood of Mount Vernon.
“Last night’s car accident on Riverdale Avenue was nothing short of tragic. Four young lives were cut short by the recklessness of one individual. Let this be a lesson to all who drive at excessive speeds – it not only puts your life at risk but also the innocent lives with whom you share the road. My deepest condolences and prayers go to the families of those lost, especially during this holiday season,” Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said.
“On behalf of the men and women of the Yonkers Police Department, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those young men; this is an unspeakable tragedy brought upon by the reckless behavior of one individual, who also suffered the ultimate consequence. I want the families and all community members to know that the Yonkers Police will conduct a thorough investigation into this incident and will make all our resources available to support the families,” Yonkers Police Commissioner John Mueller said.