On December 22, Yonkers lost four young men and recent graduates of Yonkers High School after a two car collision. The four men, Saunders Trades and Technical High School graduates Brandon N. Sierra, Randy Isaiah Brisbane, Tamari J. Watkins and Riverside High School graduate Anthony Cruz. were driving lawfully when they were struck by a speeding car attempting to elude police.
The Yonkers Police Department released the following statement;
With deep sadness, Mayor Mike Spano and Police Commissioner John J. Mueller regret to inform that five individuals have died as a result of a two-car collision last night. The City of Yonkers and Yonkers Police Department offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victims.
On Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020, at approximately 9:23 PM, members of the 3rd Precinct observed a white 2009 Infiniti sedan being operated in an erratic manner with equipment violations in the area of South Broadway and Prospect Street. Officers attempted to stop the sedan for vehicle and traffic law violations in front of 47-85 Riverdale Avenue. The sedan appeared to pull over in front of the location, then immediately accelerated at a high rate of speed southbound on Riverdale Avenue.
Police followed the vehicle on Riverdale Avenue.The Infiniti continued to accelerate beyond reckless speeds as it approached the intersection at Culver Street. A silver 2006 Nissan sedan, occupied by four young men, all 18-years of age and Yonkers residents, was making a right turn south onto Riverdale Avenue from eastbound Culver Street.
As the Nissan entered the intersection, the Infiniti collided with the Nissan, resulting in catastrophic damage to both vehicles; the force of the impact split the Nissan in half. All four occupants of the Nissan were ejected from the vehicle and died at scene. The driver and single occupant of the Infiniti, a 36-year-old resident of Mount Vernon, was extricated from his vehicle and transported to a local area trauma center where he died from his injuries.
Police were immediately on-scene and cordoned off the area. Both criminal and internal investigations were initiated.
Mayor Mike Spano stated, “Last night’s car accident on Riverdale Avenue was nothing short of tragic. Four young lives were cut short by the recklessness of one individual. Let this be a lesson to all who drive at excessive speeds – it not only puts your life at risk but also the innocent lives with whom you share the road. My deepest condolences and prayers go to the families of those lost, especially during this holiday season.”
Police Commissioner John J. Mueller stated, “On behalf of the men and women of the Yonkers Police Department, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those young men; this is an unspeakable tragedy brought upon by the reckless behavior of one individual, who also suffered the ultimate consequence. I want the families and all community members to know that the Yonkers Police will conduct a thorough investigation into this incident and will make all our resources available to support the families.”
Detectives and investigators from the Major Case Squad, Crime Scene Unit, Digital Forensics Unit, and Traffic Unit all responded to the scene to interview subjects and witnesses, recover surveillance video, and reconstruct the accident scene. Detectives have recorded statements from several witnesses, and video along the Riverdale Avenue corridor has been recovered. The investigation is on-going as Detectives continue to develop information and recover evidence.
The occupants of the Nissan are identified as Brandon Sierra, Randy Brisbane, Tamari Watkins, and Anthony Cruz. The driver of the Infiniti is identified as Devon Haywood,” end of YPD statement.
The Yonkers Public Schools released the following statement. “With great sorrow, the Yonkers Public Schools mourns the tragic death of four June 2020 graduates lost in last evening’s car crash in Yonkers. Saunders Trades and Technical High School graduates Brandon N. Sierra, Randy Isaiah Brisbane, Tamari J. Watkins and Riverside High School graduate Anthony Cruz.
Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, Superintendent of Schools expressed, “This unthinkable tragedy, the loss of four young people with their lives ahead of them, breaks our hearts. Our prayers and condolences are with the family members and friends suffering today. These young men were beloved students at Saunders. Throughout last evening, Principal Mazzola, the school’s administrative team and teachers received phone calls and tried to comfort the family members, graduates, current students and staff.”
Saunders Trades and Technical High School Principal Steven R. Mazzola shared, “Saunders High School has always been a tight knit community which takes pride in being a family and creating family values. Last night, the Saunders family lost four terrific young men in a horrific accident; Randy, Tamari, Brandon and Anthony will be missed, but will forever live in the hearts of every person who has been lucky to be a member of the Saunders family.
President Rev. Steve Lopez stated, “On behalf of the Board of Education Trustees, our deepest sympathy goes out to the families who lost their precious children, Brandon, Randy, Tamari and Anthony. These angels will be remembered in the hearts and minds of the students and staff in our schools who had the opportunity to have known them.”
‘Family members, Yonkers Public Schools students or staff who may need emotional support with their grief over the holiday may call the District’s Pupil Support Services Department at 914-376-8489.’
A video taken moments before the crash from a camera on Riverdale Avenue shows the Infiniti driving at a high rate of speed and a Yonkers Police Car pursuing but 5-10 seconds behind. YPD Lt. Dean Politopoulos, posted the video and wrote, “The police were not engaged in a high-speed pursuit – please do not transpose the actions of the reckless driver on to the officers trying to enforce the law. This was a terrible tragedy and we mourn the loss of these four young men. Our officers are trained to assess every situation and in this case disengaged and did not pursue to avoid this exact type of outcome. The sector car was approximately 15-seconds behind and not in emergency mode. The driver of the Infiniti Devon Haywood has a history of reckless driving. Our sincere condolences to the families – I cannot fathom their loss.”
