The Yonkers Police Department announced the arrest of a 17-year-old suspect believed to be responsible for the hit-and-run incident that claimed a life on Van Cortlandt Park Avenue last Monday.
The fatal collision occurred around 4:00 pm on March 25 in the vicinity of 632 Van Cortlandt Park Avenue. Emergency services rushed to the scene where they discovered the 21-year-old pedestrian Jadon Bennett critically injured. Despite efforts to save him, Bennett succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to a nearby hospital.
Investigators from various units including the Major Case Squad also responded to the scene. Their investigation revealed that Bennett had engaged in a verbal altercation with a male driver in a white Mercedes-Benz sedan. This dispute, believed to have originated from an online marketplace transaction, escalated quickly, leading to the fatal collision.
YPD, aided by the AWARE Crime Control Center, tracked down the suspect to an East Meadow residence on March 26. Law enforcement arrested the 17-year-old suspect without resistance. They charged the minor with Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death, a felony under New York State law.
Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza expressed condolences to Bennett family and emphasized the importance of peaceful conflict resolution within the community.
I urge our youth to find positive ways to handle their disputes so that we, as a community, do not suffer a loss of life.
Christopher Sapienza – Commissioner Yonkers Police Department
The case is currently under the jurisdiction of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
