Prosecutors are pushing Franklin Reyes to plead guilty to manslaughter and assault in the deadly crash that killed 4-year-old Ariel Russo. Credit: Metro Archive
The unlicensed teen driver accused of killing 4-year-old Ariel Russo earlier this year could face up to 15 years in prison.
Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Jaime Hickey-Mendoza recommended on Tuesday that Franklin Reyes plead guilty to manslaughter and assault and receive the maximum sentence of five to 15 years, The New York Post reported.
Russo was walking to school with her grandmother, 58, on the Upper West Side on June 4 when Reyes allegedly plowed into them in his parents’ SUV, killing Russo.
Under the deal Reyes, 17, would not have to cop to other charges such as leaving the scene of the accident and driving without a license.
“I’m so grateful that the district attorney is pushing a maximum,” said Sofia Russo, Ariel’s mother, outside the courtroom. “This is the right thing to do.”
