Jury finds driver guilty in deaths of newly engaged couple

A man has been found guilty of killing a newly engaged couple in a high-speed crash in Inwood.

News 12 Staff

Sep 24, 2019, 9:31 PM

Updated 1,676 days ago

Share:

A man has been found guilty of killing a newly engaged couple in a high-speed crash in Inwood.
Yisroel Levin and Elisheva Kaplan were killed in a fiery car crash in Inwood last year.
A jury found Rahmel Watkins guilty of a number of charges Tuesday, including two counts of criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment and felony assault. The 36-year-old was acquitted on manslaughter charges.
Kaplan's parents say justice was served, but say that doesn't make it any easier.
Prosecutors say Watkins was driving over 100 mph on the Nassau Expressway when he lost control and caused a five-car crash that killed the young couple.
"The jury sent a very strong message -- when you make the choices that you make, there are serious consequences. These families have lost so much," said Madeline Singas, Nassau District Attorney.
Watkins attorney still maintains that it wasn't the speed that caused the crash.
"He was operating his vehicle behind another vehicle that he was following to another location. The way in which that operator operated her vehicle is what caused him to try and pass her. And when he passed her at the speed that he passed her, it appears he either lost control or was unable to manage the road at that point," said Joe Lopiccolo.
Although Watkins was acquitted of manslaughter charges, because of a number of priors that he has, he can still face 12 years to life behind bars when he is sentenced on Nov. 29.


More from News 12
Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

2:10
Late-day showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley; chance of thunderstorm for Sunday

Late-day showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley; chance of thunderstorm for Sunday

Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

1:53
Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years

Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years

0:34
Yonkers police: Man wanted for failing to appear in court for car break-in charges

Yonkers police: Man wanted for failing to appear in court for car break-in charges

1:57
White Plains dispensary pays it forward, spends green on legal help

White Plains dispensary pays it forward, spends green on legal help

0:49
Gov. Hochul signs $10 million literacy plan into law

Gov. Hochul signs $10 million literacy plan into law

0:28
Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige, Pepsi team up to help women in the city

Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige, Pepsi team up to help women in the city

0:32
Kingston man charged in barbershop stabbing

Kingston man charged in barbershop stabbing

2:13
MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

2:04
Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

1:35
 White Plains community memorializes impactful couple as part of 41st Arbor Day celebration

White Plains community memorializes impactful couple as part of 41st Arbor Day celebration

0:21
Funeral held for Westchester correction officer killed in Scarsdale motorcycle crash

Funeral held for Westchester correction officer killed in Scarsdale motorcycle crash

0:31
Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

0:23
New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

2:16
New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

1:23
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

0:26
Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

0:23
Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held