Yonkers Insider: Press Release from Yonkers Police Department: For Immediate Release: Yonkers Police Department Makes Arrest in Fatal Van Cortlandt Park Avenue Motor Vehicle Accident.

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3/27/2024 

 

Yonkers Police Department Makes Arrest in Fatal Van Cortlandt Park Avenue Motor Vehicle Accident.

 

Yonkers, NY- The Yonkers Police Department has arrested the suspect responsible for a motor vehicle collision that resulted in the death of a Yonkers man that occurred earlier this week.

 

At just after 4:00 pm on Monday, March 25, 2024, the Yonkers Police Department received a report of a motor vehicle accident in which a pedestrian had been struck in the area of 632 Van Cortlandt Park Avenue. After arriving on the scene, first responders found a 21-year-old male who had been severely injured in the incident, and medical attention was quickly provided to him. This male was transported to an area hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. He has been identified as Jadon Bennett of Yonkers, NY.

 

Detectives from our Major Case Squad, Crime Scene Unit, and Digital Forensics Unit responded to the scene to investigate. This investigation yielded that Bennett was involved in a verbal altercation with a male sitting in a white Mercedes-Benz sedan in the area of 632 Van Cortlandt Park Avenue. Investigators believe this dispute stemmed from a previous interaction between the two males over an online marketplace transaction. The investigation yielded that as the altercation escalated, the male driver accelerated his vehicle at Bennett, subsequently causing his death, before fleeing the scene. It has also been determined that Bennett was in possession of a firearm during this altercation. Evidence revealed that no gunshots were fired at any time during this incident; however, the firearm fell to the ground after Bennett was struck, which also caused live ammunition to fall to the ground with it. All evidence was collected by investigators at the scene.

 

With the assistance of Officers and Crime Analysts in the Yonkers Police AWARE Crime Control Center, the vehicle and driver were located at an East Meadow, New York, residence on March 26, 2024. This 17-year-old suspect was taken into custody without incident. Due to laws restricting the identification of this suspect as a minor, no further information will be released regarding this suspect. He was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death, a Felony in the State of New York.

  

Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said, “Once again, Yonkers Police Detectives, in conjunction with our AWARE Crime Control Center staff, were able to locate and apprehend a suspect who is responsible for a deadly incident in our city. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased. 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.” 

 

The case is being prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, and additional information may be released as it becomes available.

 

NOTE: Booking charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.