NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A 32-year-old man pleaded guilty on Monday to manslaughter for speeding and crashing into another vehicle that killed an off-duty NYPD officer, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced.
Kassun Brown pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the second degree for speeding through a Queens stop sign and crashing into another vehicle, killing its driver, an off-duty NYPD officer, officials said.
He is set for sentencing on Jan. 11, 2024.
According to video surveillance footage, at approximately 11:58 p.m. on Jan. 17, 2020, Brown was in a 2006 Nissan Maxima and sped past a stop sign at the intersection of Nashville Boulevard and Lucas Street in St. Albans.
The car struck a Nissan Altima driven by off-duty officer Michael Ellis, who was traveling westbound on Lucas Street. Ellis’ car went into a clockwise spin before hitting two parked cars while Brown’s car veered into a telephone pole.
Ellis, who worked at the 63rd Precinct in Brooklyn, was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a traumatic brain injury, a broken neck and facial fractures. He died Feb. 27, the day of his 35th birthday.
At .09 percent, Brown’s blood alcohol content exceeded the maximum legal threshold of .08 percent.
Brown was taken to a local hospital after the collision for treatment of a dislocated right ankle.
A passenger in Brown’s car was treated for a fractured femur.
"The defendant’s recklessness prematurely took the life of a young NYPD officer," District Attorney Katz said. "We welcome the guilty plea and hope it will provide some solace to Officer Ellis’ loved ones."