Nearly four weeks ago, a deadly crash in Syracuse left one person dead and four others seriously injured. The collision occurred around 8:46 p.m. on Thursday, July 5, on James Street. Antwan D. Reed Jr., 20, was allegedly driving a white BMW at high speed while intoxicated when he veered out of his lane and collided with another vehicle.

The crash, which took place near the intersection of James Street and Wilson Street, resulted in a T-bone collision captured on police surveillance cameras. Witnesses reported that the speeding BMW caused their own vehicles to shake just moments before the impact.

Inside the BMW were four individuals, some of them related to the driver. Three were ejected during the crash. One of them, 47-year-old Maurice Watkins, was pronounced dead at the scene. The others—including the driver of the Subaru involved in the collision—were taken to Upstate University Hospital with critical injuries, including head trauma, a fractured pelvis, internal injuries, and a collapsed lung. All are expected to survive.

Reed remained at the scene and was found to be under the influence of alcohol, displaying slurred speech, watery eyes, and an odor of alcohol. He admitted to drinking and tested positive on a preliminary breath test.

He was arrested and charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, and driving while intoxicated. Bail was set at $200,000 cash or $500,000 bond. This is his first DWI charge, although he has prior arrests for weapons and assault.

The crash triggered a large emergency response, with officers finding three victims on the ground—one fatally injured. Authorities closed four blocks of James Street as they processed the scene.

The case remains under investigation and serves as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of drunk driving.