Drivers of two cars engaged in speed contest charged with criminally negligent homicide

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Memorial at the spot where the SUV in which two died fell from a Route 304 overpass

PEARL RIVER – The drivers of two cars that were involved in a speed contest on Route 304 in Pearl River on October 13, 2019, have now been arrested in connection with the deaths of two teens who were passengers in one of the cars.

Orangetown Police said a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta being driven by Jason Castro of Nanuet and a 2017 Porsche Macan driven by Aisha Radoncic of Orangeburg with two passengers were both traveling northbound on Route 304.

After an initial collision, the Porsche veered off the road and fell from the Route 304 overpass to the ground below in the area of Railroad Avenue. Radoncic’s back seat passengers, Saniha Cekic, 15, of Brooklyn, and Altin Nezaj, 17, of Pearl River, both died in the crash.

Castro, who was arrested on June 23, was charged with two felony counts of criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving, speed contests and races, as well as several vehicle and traffic law infractions. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance pending a future court appearance.

Radoncic was arrested on June 22 and charged with two counts of felony criminally negligent homicide, endangering the welfare of a child, reckless driving, speed contests and races, and several V&T infractions. She was released on an appearance ticket and arraigned the following day in the Youth Park of the Superior Court of Rockland County where she was released on her own recognizance.

District Attorney Thomas Walsh said this tragedy should be a reminder to young drivers that “cars aren’t toys. What appears to be an exciting race turns into a tragedy that has forever impacted numerous families and Pearl River as a community.”




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