A Queens resident is facing indictment in a tragic crash that resulted in the deaths of two individuals after purportedly engaging in reckless car stunts in the Bronx on New Year’s Day.
Enrique Lopez, 23, was formally charged on Tuesday with two counts of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of criminally negligent homicide, and a range of other vehicular offenses.
Exiting the courtroom on Tuesday, Lopez moved slowly, appearing doubled over, possibly still experiencing pain from the crash that occurred last month. Notably, the back of his sweatshirt displayed the words “Long Live Gio.”
The individual implicated in connection with the fatalities is Giovante Roberson, 21. Lopez is accused of driving recklessly during an early morning gathering of car enthusiasts who partake in activities such as donuts and tricks, often documented on social media.
On January 21, a crowd had assembled in Hunts Point when the driver lost control, causing a Chrysler 300 to collide with a parked oil truck. The collision claimed the lives of Roberson and 15-year-old Sabrina Villagomez of Rockland County, who were passengers in the vehicle. A 17-year-old girl seated in the rear of the car was placed in a medically induced coma due to injuries sustained in the crash.
Queens District Attorney Darcel Clark commented on the incident, stating, “Two people died and a third suffered life-threatening injuries because of the defendant’s alleged stunt driving on a Bronx street in the presence of numerous bystanders and other vehicles. His car careened into a fuel oil truck, and it is fortunate that more lives were not ruined.”
The investigation further uncovered that Lopez’s vehicle was equipped with a stolen Hellcat engine.
During the court proceedings, Lopez made no statements aside from entering a plea of not guilty to the charges leveled against him. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 5.