Driver charged with assault, reckless manslaughter in fatal Fort Greene crash

3-month old killed, mother seriously injured

October 14, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle

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A Brooklyn man has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree manslaughter and numerous other charges in connection with a Fort Greene car crash that happened when he allegedly drove against traffic on a one-way street and collided with another vehicle, striking a family that was crossing the street with a stroller.

A baby, 3-month-old Apolline Mong Guillemin, died, and her mother sustained serious injuries.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly drove in a shockingly reckless and criminal manner and destroyed a family in a matter of seconds. A young baby lost her life, and her mother suffered life-altering injuries in a case of vehicular violence that simply cannot be tolerated.

“We intend to now seek justice for little Apolline, and will continue to aggressively prosecute unlawful drivers who show disregard for the rules of the road and for the lives of everyone using Brooklyn’s streets,” he said.

Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Danny Chun. Eagle file photo by Rob Abruzzese

Gonzalez identified the defendant as Tyrik Mott, 29, of Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. He was arraigned on Thursday by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 22-count indictment in which he is charged with first- and second-degree assault, second-degree manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident, reckless endangerment, and related charges.

Mott faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count. Bail was set at $150,000 cash or $350,000 bond, and he was ordered to return to court on Nov, 30, 2021.

According to the investigation, on Sept. 11, 2021 at approximately 6 p.m., the defendant allegedly drove a Honda Civic eastbound on a portion of Gates Avenue that is a westbound one-way street.

He entered the intersection at Vanderbilt Avenue, a two-way street, and collided with another Honda Civic driving north with the light. The two cars then struck a couple crossing Gates Avenue inside the crosswalk with a stroller, the investigation said.