A former Uber driver pleaded guilty to manslaughter Thursday in the death of a Cold Spring Harbor teenager he had allowed to ride on the roof of his car.
Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini announced the plea in the death of Ryan Mullen, 15, who fell from the roof of the car as it was moving on Cove Road in September. Cheema drove the three teenagers to their destination at a residence in Huntington. Mullen, who had suffered severe head trauma, succumbed to his injuries in his sleep later that day.
Danyal Cheema, 24, of Huntington Station, pleaded guilty to the second-degree Class C felony.
“This was a tragic incident that could have been avoided had the defendant not
conducted himself in such a reckless manner,” District Attorney Tim Sini said. “Our
deepest sympathies are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
A video of the incident was recorded by the third passenger on Snapchat.
Cheema was arrested by Suffolk County Police officers on Nov. 4, 2018.
Cheema will be sentenced by Suffolk County Acting Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho at a later date. He faces a minimum of 10 months in jail plus five years of post-release supervision.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Raymond Varuolo and
Maggie Bopp, of the Vehicular Crime Bureau.