An alleged drunk driver is facing DWI and manslaughter charges after his car slammed into a utility pole, ejecting and killing a pregnant woman in the passenger seat, police said. The victim was identified as 23-year-old Adriana Sylmetaj of the Great Kills section of Staten Island, New York.
Sylmetaj reportedly suffered severe body trauma after she was ejected from the Dodge Challenger driven by her boyfriend, 30-year-old Adem Nikeziq, the New York Post reported. Police said officers responded to a 911 call regarding a single-car crash on Hylan Boulevard about 4:45 a.m. Saturday.
A preliminary investigation has determined what happened leading up to the horrific car crash.
Authorities said Nikeziq was driving the Challenger southbound on Hyland Boulevard when he lost control of the vehicle, striking a "barrier wall." The car crashed into a utility pole and split into three parts, police said, according to Fox News.
The 30-year-old suffered minor injuries and was taken to Staten Island University North Hospital for treatment, CBS 2 reported. He was listed in stable condition. Sylmetaj was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have charged Nikeziq with multiple offenses following the deadly accident.
He faces charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, vehicular assault, reckless endangerment, driving while intoxicated, and driving while ability impaired by alcohol in the fatal wreck, police said, per the Post.
Sylmetaj and Nikeziq were expecting a baby girl together on April 12, according to a registry they had created with Buy Buy Baby. This would have been Sylmetaj's first child.
Her family has spoken out after the expectant mother's sudden death.
âHeâs going away for the rest of his life and thatâs still not good enough for that piece of s—,â a relative of Sylmetaj told the Post as they stood outside her home on Sunday.
âThey couldnât save the baby,â he said. âWeâre never going to be ok. None of us. Weâve experienced a terrible tragedy."
Mario Basso, owner of H20 Auto Spa, was near the crash site and couldn't believe the utility pole was still intact. âI donât understand how the [utility] pole is still standing,â he said per the Post. âIt was hit so hard.â
Sylmetaj was looking forward to being a mom.
Sylmetaj, who was originally from Brookyln but later moved to Staten Island, was reportedly excited to be a mom.
"She was excited when she learned she was going to be a mother," her brother, Al Sylmetaj, told the New York Daily News. "It was something new to her. She couldnât wait to see the baby born,â he said. âThey were thinking on names but I donât think they came to any decision. … They were planning on a baby shower."
Her family, however, had doubts about her relationship with Nikeziq. "Maybe it just wasnât a mutual thing,â her brother said, according to the Daily News. âLike she loved him more than he loved her. It just didnât feel reciprocated."
