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

Thursday’s Headlines: Merry Christmas Edition

Day off today, but we'll be back tomorrow.

December 25, 2025

Streetsies 2025: The Best Projects of the Year

Even amid Mayor Adams's bikelash lame-duck era, there were some major bright spots this year.

December 24, 2025

Hey, Insurance Companies, Here’s Some Driver Fraud Hiding in Plain Sight

Insurers don't seem to care, but we've provided a list!

December 24, 2025

Streetsies 2025: The Biggest Failures Of The Year

2025 was rough year to be a cyclist in New York City, now's your chance to vote for what pissed you off the most.

December 24, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: See You In Court Edition

President Trump's case against congestion pricing will finally be heard next month. Plus other news.

December 24, 2025

Mamdani Appoints Pro-Labor Lawyer To Run Worker Protection Agency

"My life's work has been about ensuring that money and power cannot trample the rights and dignity of working people," said the incoming DCWP commissioner, Sam Levine.

December 23, 2025
See all posts