Former NYPD officer and Long Island woman charged in fatal 100 mph car crash.
A former New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer and a Long Island woman have been charged in connection with a high-speed crash that resulted in the death of a young woman last year. The charges were announced by authorities on Tuesday, detailing the events that took place on May 11, 2024.
Stanley Cadet, 27, a former officer with the NYPD, and Kayla Lopez, 28, have both been indicted on second-degree manslaughter charges related to the incident that occurred in Suffolk County. The tragic event unfolded around 2:20 a.m. when the two vehicles, driven separately but side by side, were reported to be racing down Union Boulevard in West Islip at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. Cadet was off-duty at the time and was operating his personal Hyundai, while Lopez was behind the wheel of an Infiniti.
According to the indictment from the state attorney general’s office, the two vehicles collided as they approached the Route 231 overpass. This collision resulted in Lopez’s vehicle veering off the road and crashing into multiple telephone poles. Tragically, 22-year-old Anna Wilson, a passenger in Lopez’s car, lost her life in the accident. Furthermore, three other individuals traveling in the vehicles sustained injuries as a result of the crash.
Cadet’s status as an NYPD officer at the time of the incident prompted Governor Kathy Hochul to appoint a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation and prosecution, ensuring an impartial examination of the case. Along with the second-degree manslaughter charges, both Cadet and Lopez face additional charges that include second- and third-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment, and three traffic violations, underscoring the serious nature of their actions that night.
The case serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers associated with reckless driving and the profound impact it can have on the lives of individuals and their families. As proceedings continue, there will be increased scrutiny surrounding the accountability of those who have sworn to protect and serve the community, along with a focus on road safety measures necessary to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
The investigation and subsequent legal proceedings may also shed light on broader trends in traffic-related crimes, particularly those involving high speeds and the reckless behavior seen in this case. Authorities are expected to continue to emphasize the importance of responsible driving as a critical public safety issue.
