Intoxicated Driver Pleads Guilty After Killing One Driving On The Wrong Side Of Belt Parkway

Zainab Iqbal -
Aleh Sheipak via Brooklyn DA Office.

SHEEPSHEAD BAY – In July of last year, a drunk Brooklyn man drove on the wrong side of the Belt Parkway. He killed one person and severely injured two. Yesterday, he pleaded guilty to two charges.

On July 12, 2018, 51-year-old Aleh Sheipak was driving his 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan eastbound on the westbound lane of the Belt Parkway. According to the District Attorney’s investigation, he drove about two miles in the wrong direction when he collided with a 2018 Honda Accord at Exit 3, near the Verrazzano Bridge entrance ramp of the Belt Parkway.

The 20-year-old driver of the Honda who was driving two passengers– 27-year-old Gerald Obah and a 29-year-old woman– from the JFK Airport for Lyft.

According to the investigation, the impact of the collision caused Obah to be trapped in the backseat while the woman was catapulted into the front seat. Both of them were taken to NYU Langone where Obah was pronounced dead. The woman was treated for multiple fractures and lacerations to her head, hip, and leg. Sheipak and the Lyft driver were taken to Maimonides Hospital and were treated for injuries (Sheipak’s were minor, while the driver was treated for a broken leg, jaw fractures, and lacerations to the face).

At the scene of the incident, Sheipak failed a sobriety test that was administered. Later on, a blood analysis revealed that his alcohol blood content was at in excess of .18, which is more than twice the legal limit.

Sheipak pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated driving while intoxicated. He will be sentenced to seven to 21 years on August 7.

“The reckless and irresponsible actions of this defendant ended the life of a promising young man and devastated his family,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. “By choosing to operate a vehicle while intoxicated, the defendant was a danger to everyone that night. I am committed to prosecuting dangerous drivers who threaten the safety of everyone on our roads.”