The man accused of a hit-and-run crash that killed a popular Spanish radio DJ in Brooklyn more than two years ago accepted a plea deal Tuesday, the same day his criminal trial was set to get underway. Katherine Creag reports.
What to Know
- Kevin Ozorio, 28, was accused of driving the car that hit John Paul Guerrero, also known as DJ Jinx Paul, back in 2016
- He was indicted on charges of leaving the scene and evidence tampering; the DA previously dropped the same charges, citing lack of evidence
- Ozorio reached a plea deal Tuesday, just before his trial was to begin, that keeps him out of jail. The victim's family was left frustrated
The man accused of a hit-and-run crash that killed a popular Spanish radio DJ in Brooklyn more than two years ago accepted a plea deal Tuesday, the same day his criminal trial was set to get underway.
Kevin Ozorio, 28, pleaded guilty to a single count of leaving the scene of an incident without reporting it, a deal that left the victim's family frustrated. Ozorio had been indicted on charges of leaving the scene of the deadly 2016 crash in East New York and tampering with evidence. He was accused of driving the car that hit John Paul Guerrero, also known as DJ Jinx Paul, six days before Christmas that year.
Ozorio was previously charged with the same crimes, but the charges were dropped after the Brooklyn district attorney said there wasn’t enough evidence showing he drove the car.
Relatives of Guerrero tell News 4 they were reluctant to accept the terms of his plea deal, but felt the district attorney's hands were tied. The deal Ozorio made Tuesday calls for zero jail time. He'll face five years of probation and must perform community service; he also waives his right to appeal.
"He's only getting five years probation, five years probation, and yet he let someone die on the floor," Gina Zarate, Guerrero's cousin, said outside court. "He left them and didn't even call a cop, didn't even call an ambulance."
She said the family is "frustrated" and "saddened by the outcome."
Outside court, Guerrero's father cried saying the suspect took his son's life, leaving him to die on the street.
Ozorio left court with his attorney without commenting. His sentencing is scheduled for May 1, where a crowd of Guerrero supporters are expected to show for what is expected to be an emotional victim impact statement.
Guerrero was a much-loved disc jockey who had become well known to listeners of radio station Mega 97.9. At a vigil following his death, hundreds of fellow DJs and fans lit candles and cried as they mourned him. He left behind a young son.
