Guilty Plea in 2004 Sprain Brook Pkwy Overpass Death
Westchester County District Attorney’s Office announced that Alberto Plasencia (DOB 07/19/86) of 611 Bronx River Road, Yonkers New York pled guilty June 4 to one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony, relating to the 2004 death of Marie McSweeney.
On April 24, 2004, between 4:15 and 4:30 p.m., on the southbound Sprain Brook Parkway in the area below the Kimball Avenue Bridge, the 48 year old victim, with her 87 year mother in the front passenger seat, was struck by a large piece of asphalt 10” x 7” x 3” that crashed through the driver’s side windshield of her car. The asphalt struck victim on the left side of her head.
The car traveled about one third of a mile veering onto the right shoulder for 800 feet, striking a shoulder guardrail support beam, veering back onto the shoulder, traveling across area of Bronx River Parkway split and ultimately into wooded area near the Desmond Ave off ramp.
Both the victim and her mother were transported to Jacobi Hospital. Marie McSweeney pronounced dead at the hospital.
Numerous witnesses traveling on the parkway saw various aspects of the crime.
Yonkers police responded and investigated the incident at the time.
In 2009, based on new information developed, Yonkers homicide and Cold Case detectives reopened the case, putting significant resources into the investigation. The defendant was subsequently arrested by Yonkers Cold Case detectives.
Bail was continued at $400,000 cash or bond.
The defendant will surrender for sentencing on June 17th, 2014, and will be sentenced on August 19th, 2014.
The defendant faces a maximum sentence of five to fifteen years in state prison.
Assistant District Attorney Christine, O’Connor and Assistant District Attorney Shameika Mathurin of the Superior Court Trial Division, prosecuted the case.
