DA VANCE: DRIVER SENTENCED TO 1 2/3-TO-5 YEARS IN PRISON FOR STRIKING, KILLING 57-YEAR-OLD PEDESTRIAN ON THE LOWER EAST SIDE

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., recently announced the sentencing of DANNY LIN, 25, to 1 2/3-to-5 years in state prison for fatally striking a 57-year-old man with his car on the Lower East Side in November 2014. On July 7, 2016, a New York State Supreme Court jury found the defendant guilty of the sole count in the indictment against him: Manslaughter in the Second Degree.

“Despite all our gains in public safety, too many pedestrians, cyclists, and law-abiding drivers still perish needlessly at the hands of reckless drivers in New York City each year,” said Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. “Danny Lin’s reckless driving brought about the untimely death of Robert Perry and gravely endangered several others as he sped down the Bowery at more than twice the local speed limit. Thanks to my Office’s prosecutors and the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad, he will now serve a prison sentence for his deadly conduct. We will continue doing our part to reduce vehicular fatalities by holding criminal drivers accountable for the harm that they inflict.”

As proven at trial, at approximately 7 p.m. on November 24, 2014, LIN sped north at approximately 55 miles per hour on the Bowery in a 2011 BMW 335xi. The defendant struck 57-year-old Robert Perry, who was crossing the Bowery near Rivington Street, sending the victim’s body into the air before landing more than 140 feet away. After striking Mr. Perry, LIN continued a block before driving onto the sidewalk and crashing into a fire hydrant near several pedestrians. Mr. Perry was taken to New York Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

Assistant District Attorney David Drucker handled the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Jill Hoexter, Chief of the Vehicular Crimes Unit; Warren Murray, Chief of Trial Bureau 50; and Executive Assistant District Attorney John Irwin, Chief of the Trial Division. Assistant District Attorney John Wolfstaetter provided assistance with the investigation. Trial Preparation Assistant Amanda Epstein also assisted in the prosecution of this case.

District Attorney Vance thanked Detective George Lang of the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad, as well as Officer Anthony Kempinski of the NYPD’s Fifth Precinct.

Defendant Information:

DANNY LIN, D.O.B. 7/9/1990
Brooklyn, NY

Convicted:
• Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count

Sentenced:
• 1 2/3-to-5 years in state prison