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Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Kenyatta Weston Jr., 31, of Amityville, was arraigned March 3 in Queens Supreme Court on a 13-count indictment for a fatal crash that killed a 27-year-old woman of Bentwood, Long Island, on the eastbound Belt Parkway in Rosedale just over a year ago. According to prosecutors, Weston was driving at 115 mph in a 45 mph zone when he lost control and slammed into sand-filled cushion barrels on a grassy shoulder near the Sunrise Highway overpass at 3:47 a.m. on February 8, 2025.
The deadly sequence of events began earlier that evening when the victim drove her white Toyota Camry from Suffolk County to Brooklyn with Weston as a passenger, according to the investigation. The pair arrived at a bar on Avenue U at approximately 1 a.m., where they consumed alcohol together. After spending over two hours at the establishment, both left the lounge around 3:30 a.m., with Weston allegedly taking over driving duties as they departed, with the victim now in the passenger seat.
The devastating impact occurred just 15 minutes later as Weston failed to navigate the highway curve while traveling at more than twice the legal speed limit. Neither occupant was wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision, and both were ejected from the vehicle upon impact, according to the indictment. Police from the 116th Precinct responded to a 911 call reporting the motor vehicle collision and discovered the victim unresponsive at the scene.
Emergency Medical Services rushed the 27-year-old woman to Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Weston sustained severe injuries including damage to his lower spine and a broken pelvis. EMS transported him to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, where he was initially listed in critical condition but has since recovered from his injuries.
A blood test administered approximately one hour after the crash revealed Weston’s blood alcohol content was .16, exactly double the legal limit of .08, according to prosecutors. The investigation also uncovered additional criminal evidence when police searched the crashed Toyota Camry. Officers recovered a Springfield Armory 9mm pistol containing a large capacity magazine from the front driver side footwell. Forensic analysis determined that a fingerprint found on the firearm’s magazine matched Weston, linking him directly to the weapon.
“As alleged, the defendant consumed alcohol before making the selfish decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and drive at 115 miles per hour along the Belt Parkway, resulting in a fatal crash that took the life of his passenger,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. “A firearm was also recovered from the vehicle at the scene of the crime.” Members of the NYPD Warrant Squad arrested Weston on Tuesday morning, and he was subsequently booked at the 116th Precinct in Rosedale.
Location & Road Context
The fatal collision occurred on the eastbound Belt Parkway near the Sunrise Highway overpass in Rosedale, a section of highway that connects Queens to Nassau County and serves as a major thoroughfare for Long Island commuters. The crash site, where Weston struck sand-filled cushion barrels positioned on a grassy shoulder, represents a safety feature designed to absorb impact energy during accidents.
The Belt Parkway’s 45 mph speed limit in this area reflects the highway’s design limitations and urban setting, making Weston’s alleged speed of 115 mph particularly egregious. This stretch of roadway experiences heavy traffic during peak hours as it serves as a primary route between Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island communities.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Hartofilis remanded Weston into custody without bail following his arraignment on the 13-count indictment. The charges include manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence, criminal possession of a weapon, reckless driving, operating a vehicle at unreasonable speed, and two counts of driving in excess of the maximum speed limit.
The case was presented to a Queens grand jury, which voted to indict Weston after reviewing evidence from the year-long investigation. Prosecutors built their case around the blood alcohol evidence, crash reconstruction data showing the excessive speed, and forensic evidence linking Weston to the illegal firearm found in the vehicle. Weston is scheduled to return to court on April 23 and faces up to 22 years in prison if convicted on all charges.