The Bronx district attorney’s office announced on Wednesday that a man has been sentenced to two to six years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree manslaughter.
Carlos Hernandez, 24, was driving a BMW near River Avenue and East 161st Street in August 2022. Surveillance video shows the BMW going through a red light, striking an SUV that was being driven by 69-year-old Bronx resident Cathy Garcia.
Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene, and Hernandez fled from the scene on foot. His DNA was recovered from the driver’s side airbag and his cellphone was found in the BMW. 12 catalytic converters were also found in the car.
“It is outrageous that we lost a vibrant member of the community because of the defendant’s reckless actions,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark in a press release.