Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Unlicensed Teen Driver Who Killed 4-Year-Old Arrested Again For Dragging Cop
By
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Published Sep 3, 2014
Modified Jul 24, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Published Sep 3, 2014
Modified Jul 24, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Franklin Reyes, the unlicensed driver who killed a four-year-old while escaping the police, was arrested again this weekend, again for driving without a license and leading police on another chase.
The Daily News reports that Reyes, 18, was stopped by police in Washington Heights this past Sunday evening for failing to signal a turn. When officers approached Reyes, the teen sped off, dragging an officer 100 feet, according to the criminal complaint. Reyes then hit another car, almost struck a pedestrian, and eventually tried fleeing on foot before he was apprehended by the NYPD. He was charged with a litany of crimes second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, unlawful fleeing a police officer, and, of course, unlicensed driving.
Reyes is currently on trial for manslaughter he fatally ran over 4-year-old Ariel Russo as she walked to school with her grandmother. Reyes, who only had his learner's permit, also attempted to evade police in the June 2013 accident, where he sped away from officers, attempted a turn, jumped a curb, and pinned Russo to a building. Her grandmother was seriously injured in the accident.
At the time of the accident that killed Russo, Reyes's lawyer told reporters that, "Nothing like that ever happened in his life. He's not a violent kid. He will forever live with the scar of what happened, knowing that he has no one to blame but himself. He doesn't blame the police officers for chasing him, even though they didn't have to chase him."
At the time of the most recent incident, Reyes was even getting a deal from the judge in the manslaughter case, who offered Reyes a maximum of four years in prison and a chance for the case to be forever sealed. On Monday, Reyes was ordered to be held without bail. The judge has yet to state whether that deal remains on the table.
Tagged
ariel russo
car accident
crime
franklin reyes
nypd
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Max Rivlin-Nadler has been a contributor to Gothamist since 2013. He has also reported for the New York Times, NPR, and The Intercept. His years-long investigation into New York City's arcane civil forfeiture laws led to a series of reforms which altered a practice that had been taking millions from poor communities for decades. Recently, he brought back a surfing habit from a few years on the west coast, and would love to see you all out in the Rockaways.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans. We could get used to this.
Seeing high hopes dashed had become so routine, it was part of our identity. This year feels different.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
Some regulars at the East Village park want to preserve its not-so-fancy offerings.
By
Willow Higgins
News
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
Some regulars at the East Village park want to preserve its not-so-fancy offerings.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Man messaged 'I got straight poison' before giving NYC college students fentanyl, feds say
By
Samantha Max
Inside the plan to fix the nearly collapsed Pfizer Building, 1/64th of an inch at a time
By
David Brand
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .