Prosecutors say a Fishkill Correctional Facility officer was barreling down a residential North Amityville street at about 106 mph when his SUV crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed head-on into another car, seriously injuring two people and killing a passenger’s unborn baby. The crash happened on Dec. 28 in North Amityville, and more than two months later, on March 13, a Suffolk County grand jury handed up an indictment. The defendant, 28-year-old Andre-Marcel Devieux, was arraigned on assault and traffic charges and is being held in custody while the case moves forward.
Indictment, Charges and Bail
According to prosecutors, Devieux was indicted on two counts of second-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, third-degree unlicensed operation of a vehicle and multiple traffic violations. A judge set bail at $20,000 cash, $40,000 bond or a $200,000 partially secured bond, and scheduled his next court date for April 14, as reported by Daily Voice. Prosecutors noted that the top charge carries a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison if he is convicted.
Scene, Speed and Injuries
Suffolk County investigators say the violent collision unfolded at about 8:34 p.m. when a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT crossed the center line on Parkway Avenue at Schleigel Boulevard in North Amityville and struck a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta head-on. The Jetta’s driver suffered multiple fractures and remains in inpatient rehabilitation, according to police.
The front-seat passenger, who was about seven months pregnant, was rushed to Good Samaritan University Hospital. Doctors tried to save the baby but were not successful, investigators said. Suffolk County police impounded both vehicles and, earlier this winter, asked anyone who saw the Jeep or the crash itself to come forward as the investigation continued, per Suffolk County Police.
What the District Attorney Said
“The survivors here were left with devastating injuries,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said while announcing the indictment. Prosecutors also pointed out that New York law limits the charges that can be brought for the loss of an unborn child, a restriction the DA highlighted as he outlined the case, according to Daily Voice.
Legal analysis and case law have long centered on a “born-alive” principle, which treats a “person” for homicide purposes as someone who has been born and is alive. Courts and commentators have examined that rule in statutes and judicial opinions, according to Justia.
What Happens Next
Devieux has been arraigned and remains behind bars as prosecutors turn over discovery materials and prepare for the next phase of the case. Authorities say the indictment was returned by a Suffolk County grand jury. He is due back in county court on April 14 to face a mix of felony and misdemeanor counts tied to the high-speed crash.
Meanwhile, Suffolk County police are still asking for witnesses. Investigators are especially interested in anyone who may have seen the Jeep in the moments before the collision, and they are urging people with information to contact the First Squad.
Why This Matters
The indictment moves the case out of the initial crash-report phase and firmly into the criminal justice system, giving a clearer roadmap for families coping with loss and for neighbors who watched their residential block abruptly turn into a crime scene. Hoodline reported on the original December wreck when residents were first asked to step forward with tips, and these new charges mark the next step in what is likely to be a long legal process. For that earlier coverage, see Serious Head-On Collision.
