BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A Brooklyn man was sentenced to three to six years in prison for running a red light and causing a collision that killed a 65-year-old pedestrian, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Tuesday.
Isidro Rodriguez, 38, of Homecrest, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in November 2024. Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice John Hecht handed down the sentence, holding Rodriguez accountable for the reckless crash that took the life of Jun Jin Yang.
“This defendant’s reckless and selfish actions robbed an innocent man of his life and devastated a family that will forever mourn this senseless tragedy,” Gonzalez said. “No one should have to fear for their life while crossing the street.”
The crash occurred on May 30, 2022, at approximately 10:18 a.m. when Rodriguez sped through a red light at West 1st Street and Avenue P in Gravesend. His Cadillac Escalade struck a Hyundai Sonata ride-share vehicle, sending the SUV spinning toward Yang, who was crossing the street. Yang was pinned between the Escalade and another vehicle and later died at Maimonides Medical Center.
NYPD investigators recovered black box data from the Cadillac, which showed Rodriguez accelerating to 42 mph in a 25-mph zone just before the crash, with no evidence of braking.
Officials say the case underscores the consequences of reckless driving and the ongoing commitment to improving street safety in Brooklyn.