Jaden D’Souza was behind the wheel on the Southern State Parkway when a drugged, high-speed crash took two young lives — including his own sister’s. Here’s what happened that night, and what the judge said in court.
A Queens man was sentenced to up to 18 years in state prison after a drugged, high-speed crash on the Southern State Parkway killed his own sister and her best friend — and left a fourth passenger permanently disabled.
Jaden D’Souza, 20, spent more than an hour at Nassau County Supreme Court in Mineola hugging and saying goodbye to family and friends who had gathered to show support before Judge Caryn Fink handed down the sentence on charges of vehicular manslaughter and related counts.
Key facts at a glance
- Crash date: Jan. 12, 2025, around 11 p.m.
- Location: Southern State Pkwy, near Exit 30
- Victims: Haily D’Souza, 21 (defendant’s sister); Crystal Alba-Figueroa, 23
- Fourth passenger: survived but suffered traumatic brain injury
- Sentence: up to 18 years; eligible for parole after 6 years
According to prosecutors, D’Souza was driving a 2016 Dodge Dart eastbound at a reckless rate of speed, weaving in and out of lanes while under the influence of drugs. In the backseat were his 21-year-old sister Haily and her best friend, 23-year-old Crystal Alba-Figueroa. A second male passenger, also 23, sat in the front seat…