WORCESTER — The second of two drivers whose early-morning drag race in 2021 resulted in the death of 35-year-old Jessica Simone pleaded guilty to one count of negligent operation of motor vehicle in Worcester Superior Court on Tuesday.
Fares N. Shaikh-Omar, 23, will serve two years of probation, while three other charges — involuntary manslaughter, vehicular homicide by reckless operation and racing motor vehicle — were dropped in the plea deal.
Shaikh-Omar’s guilty plea on Tuesday comes about two weeks after Mfouad Faris, 29, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and vehicular homicide by reckless operation by a 12-member jury on March 14.
Shaikh-Omar testified in Faris’ trial, admitting to the fact that the two Worcester men had agreed to a drag race sometime around 2 a.m. on Oct. 10, 2021, after a night of partying with a group of friends to celebrate Simone’s birthday at a local club.
Leaving the Canal District in separate cars to reach a residence on Oak Avenue, the two men took off as traffic lights turned green on Summer Street near Thomas Street.