Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of ROBERT KOCH, 26, for allegedly driving northbound in the southbound lane of the West Side Highway while drunk, crashing into an Uber and killing 65-year-old passenger Ada Rivero in May 2026. KOCH is charged in a New York State Supreme Court Indictment with one count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, two counts of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, among other charges. [1]

“Robert Koch allegedly crashed into an Uber as he was driving in the wrong direction on the West Side Highway, tragically cutting short the life of the passenger, Ada Rivero,” said District Attorney Bragg. “To anyone who is even considering getting behind the wheel while under the influence, don’t – you will be prosecuted. Driving while intoxicated is not just risky, it is all-too-often deadly. My thoughts are with Ms. Rivero’s loved ones who are mourning her devastating loss.”

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record, on May 3, 2026, at approximately 3:30 a.m., KOCH left an event in Times Square and walked to his car on West 51^st Street.

KOCH drove to West 57^th Street, where he entered the southbound lane of the West Side Highway while driving northbound. After avoiding multiple collisions with cars travelling the correct direction, KOCH collided head-on with an Uber driver and his passenger near West 72^nd Street.

Both the driver and passenger were unable to exit the Uber vehicle until FDNY extracted them. KOCH was pulled out of the driver’s seat of his vehicle by an eyewitness. All three individuals sustained injuries from the collision and were taken to local hospitals. The Uber passenger, Ada Rivero, was pronounced dead that same morning at 6:36 a.m. as a result of multiple blunt force injuries she sustained in the collision.

Assistant D.A. Marit DeLozier (Trial Bureau 50) is handling the prosecution of this case with Assistant D.A. Maureen Duda (Trial Bureau 30) under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Jessica Lynn (Chief of Trial Bureau 50) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Ramon Pina from Highway Criminal Intelligence Section.

Defendant Information:

ROBERT KOCH

Bronx, NY

Charged:

• Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a class B felony, one count
• Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class D felony, two counts
• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count
• Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, a misdemeanor, one count
• Driving While Intoxicated, a misdemeanor, one count

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.