Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of LEANDRO DIAZ-RAMIREZ, 29, for speeding through a red light in Inwood and causing a crash that killed two pedestrians in August 2022. DIAZ-RAMIREZ was sentenced to 5-15 years in state prison. He previously pleaded guilty to two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree on February 1, 2024.
“Leandro Diaz-Ramirez’s reckless driving caused the tragic death of two pedestrians. Leandro Diaz-Ramirez appropriately received the maximum sentence for Manslaughter in the Second Degree, but nothing can bring back Joel Adames and David Fernandez, whose lives were cut short. We cannot allow this type of speeding to become normalized because of the grave consequences it has on public safety, and my Office will continue to hold accountable drivers who harm pedestrians,” said District Attorney Bragg.
According to court documents and statements made on the record, DIAZ-RAMIREZ was driving a BMW at approximately 59 miles per hour in at 25 mile per hour zone at 4:00 am on August 3. He sped through a red light at the intersection of Sherman Avenue and 207th Street and T-boned a Subaru that was driving through a green light at the same intersection.
The impact of the crash caused the Subaru to skid onto the sidewalk and crush two pedestrians, while the driver broke several ribs and his pelvis.
The two individuals killed were David Fernandez and Joel Adames, aged 40 and 31. They were friends and local Inwood residents.
DIAZ-RAMIREZ was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash.
Assistant District Attorneys Julie Nobel and Juan Maldonado handled the prosecution of the case, under the supervision of Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).
Defendant Information:
LEANDRO DIAZ-RAMIREZ
Bronx, New York
Convicted:
- Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
Sentenced:
- 5-15 years in state prison
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