Sean Smith (40) and Deo Ramnarine (43) were convicted this week for their role in a tragic car crash involving their teenage son. The accident, which occurred in May of last year in Queens, claimed the life of 14-year-old Fortune Williams.
The case marks a significant development in New York’s legal landscape, with this being the first known prosecution of its kind in the state. Smith and Ramnarine were found guilty of child endangerment after they allowed their 16-year-old son to drive a car he was not legally permitted to operate.
The teenage driver, who held only a “junior driver’s license,” was behind the wheel of a bright red 2005 BMW E46. Despite his limited driving privileges, he was allegedly speeding at 101 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone when he crashed into a UPS truck. The collision was severe, and the impact resulted in the immediate death of Fortune Williams, who was a passenger in the vehicle.
During the court proceedings, Smith and Ramnarine admitted their guilt to the charges. As part of their sentence, they were ordered to complete a 26-week parenting course. Additionally, New York State Supreme Court Justice Michael Yavinsky sentenced Smith to three years of probation.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz emphasized the gravity of the parents’ actions in a statement: “The parents of a 16-year-old gave their son a BMW when he did not have the legal authority to drive it anywhere in New York City. We allege that because of the teenager’s actions, 14-year-old Fortune Williams is now dead after she was thrown from the car when it crashed into a UPS truck at more than 100 miles per hour. Parents who provide vehicles to their children and let them drive illegally can be held responsible in the case of tragedies such as this one.”
The teenager, now 17, faces serious legal consequences. He is awaiting a manslaughter case and other charges, which could potentially result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years. Investigators discovered that the boy had been driving the BMW to school as early as November 2022 despite not having the legal right to do so. He had also been previously ticketed for driving without a license and using a “portable electronic device” while driving.
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This case highlights the critical importance of ensuring that young drivers adhere to legal driving requirements. It underscores the potential legal ramifications for parents who provide vehicles to their underage children without proper oversight. The tragic death of Fortune Williams serves as a sad reminder of the responsibilities that come with vehicle ownership and the severe consequences of neglecting those responsibilities.
