BRONX MAN CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER IN THE DRUNK DRIVING DEATH OF A PEDESTRIAN

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today the manslaughter conviction of a 46 year old Bronx man who killed a 27 year old pedestrian while driving drunk.

A jury deliberated for three and a half days before finding John Gathers guilty of Manslaughter in the 2nd degree in the death of Eduardo Perez-Castaneda on September 25, 2000. Acting State Supreme Court Justice Richard Lee Price set sentencing for Monday, September 9, 2002 in Part T16. Gathers is facing a maximum sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment.

Perez-Castaneda was struck and killed when Gathers made an illegal U-turn and drove his sport utility vehicle onto the sidewalk on East 177th Street near Bronx Park Avenue and the Bronx River Parkway. Gathers was driving westbound on East 177th Street when he attempted to make a left turn over a concrete median that was seven inches high. After several attempts, the vehicle finally made it over the median and continued to accelerate while crossing several lanes of oncoming eastbound traffic. Gathers continuing driving onto the sidewalk and slammed into Perez-Castaneda. The victim’s body was wedged between the vehicle and a wall and dragged 25 feet before falling to the ground resulting in his legs being crushed beneath the vehicle’s wheels. The van was facing west in the eastbound traffic lanes when it finally came to rest. A subsequent examination of the defendant revealed that the level of alcohol in his blood was twice the legal limit.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gary Weil.