Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Carnage

Driver Pleads to Manslaughter for Killing Washington Heights Pedestrian

Jonatan Segura hit two people at 181st Street and Amsterdam Avenue in January 2016, killing Jorge Encarnacion. Image: Google Maps

A drunk hit-and-run driver who hit two people in Washington Heights in 2016, killing Jorge Encarnacion, has pled guilty to manslaughter.

At around 4:15 a.m. on January 30, Jonatan Segura, then 34, was driving a BMW sedan on 181st Street near Amsterdam Avenue when he hit a pickup truck and struck Encarnacion and an unidentified 46-year-old woman.

Signs of a high-speed collision were evident at the crash site. Photos published by the Daily News show the BMW, a racing sticker affixed to the back window, with extensive damage to the front end and windshield. The crash caused the airbags in the pickup truck to deploy.

Segura fled the scene and later turned himself in to police, according to the News.

Encarnacion, 46, died at Lincoln Hospital. The other pedestrian victim was hospitalized.

Segura was charged with manslaughter, two counts of assault, homicide, leaving the scene, and drunk driving -- all felonies -- in addition to misdemeanor assault and misdemeanor leaving the scene. He pled guilty to all charges last month, according to court records.

Manslaughter, the top charge against Segura, is a class C felony with penalties ranging from probation to 15 years in prison. Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance's office recommended Segura be sentenced to five to 15 years. The judge promised him a sentence of four to 12 years, according to Vance's office.

Segura's sentencing hearing is set for later this month.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

U.S. DOT Moves to Rescind Billions for ‘Woke’ Transportation on Feb. 18 — So Advocates Must Speak Up Now

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has promised to call on Congress to slash vast funding for climate and DEIA.

February 14, 2025

Friday Video: Catch the Green Wave

Even the Times loves it.

February 14, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Pressure on City Hall Edition

The MTA needs more and more money from the city — is Mayor Adams too distracted to ensure New York City gets bang for its buck? Plus more news.

February 14, 2025

ACE In The Hole: MTA’s Bus-Mounted Cameras Nab Over 400K Bus Stop Blockers

Bus enforcement cameras are working way better than cops.

February 13, 2025

City E-Bike Swap Program Uses Bikes from Fly, a Company With Safety Violations

A Streetsblog investigation found Fly, a popular e-bike and moped vendor, has consistently skirted city regulations, but now the company is at the heart of the city's first e-bike trade-in program.

February 13, 2025
See all posts