Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., has announced the indictment of 53-year-old Julio Cachago for the fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of 76-year-old Yong Li on the Lower East Side last month. The indictment comes after Cachago was implicated in leaving the scene without reporting, amongst other charges. According to the press release from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, he is charged with one count each of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting and Criminally Negligent Homicide.
On the evening of December 19, 2025, Cachago was operating a 2020 Ford Edge when he came to a stop at Clinton and Stanton Streets to allow a pedestrian to cross. It was then that Li, who had the right of way, attempted to cross as well, and was struck by Cachago's vehicle, a tragic moment that ended with her being run over. Despite pausing briefly after the incident, Cachago drove away without rendering aid or contacting authorities. "Julio Cachago allegedly left an elderly New Yorker to die in the street after he hit her with his car, and drove off without even checking on her condition," said District Attorney Bragg, as per the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
Cachago's absence of immediate action extended to not reporting the incident to the police until the next day, which was only prompted after discovering his vehicle had been towed by the NYPD. District Attorney Bragg pointed out the defendant called 311 and 911 to report his vehicle missing and was then directed to the 7th precinct where his eventual arrest took place. The gap between the crime and the report elucidates a disconcerting void in moral responsibility.
The investigation that followed led to the apprehension of Cachago, who was indicted with the assistance of Assistant D.A.’s Harrison Schweiloch, Kyle Mirabelli, Taylor Holland, and Meaghan Dunigan, all under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Charles Whitt, Chief of Trial Bureau 60, and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo, Chief of the Trial Division. Victim Yong Li was transported to Bellevue Hospital following the incident, where, she was pronounced dead. Acknowledgement for their work was also given to Detective Keith Solomon from the Collision Investigation Squad.
