A Brooklyn man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for driving the wrong direction down a one-way street at Gates Avenue and colliding with another vehicle, leading to him hitting and injuring two parents and killing their three-month-old baby named Apolline Mong Guillemin, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced on June 14.
The tragic death of the infant inspired the construction of "Apolline's Garden," a plaza that was built recently at Gates Avenue in an effort to increase pedestrian safety, but has been a point of contention among locals that reside in the area.
Tyrik Mott, a 30-year-old resident of Prospect Heights, pleaded guilty to several charges back on March 22, 2023, including second-degree manslaughter, first- and second-degree assault, second-degree attempted robbery, reckless driving, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an incident.
According to the investigation, the incident occurred back on Sept. 11, 2021, at 6:00pm. During that day, Mott was driving his Honda Civic eastbound on a segment of Gates Avenue that is a westbound one-way street.
As Mott was entering an intersection at Vanderbilt Avenue — a two-way street — his vehicle collided with another Honda Civic that was driving northbound, which caused the pair of vehicles to jump the curb and run into a couple and their baby, who was being pushed in a stroller at the time, according to the investigation.
Along with the passing of the three-year-old victim, the crash caused serious injuries to the mother and minor injuries to the father. The driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision also sustained injuries.
Following the collision, Mott exited his vehicle and fled on foot, tossing away the jersey he was wearing. He made his way to Atlantic Avenue — two blocks away from the incident — where he attempted to carjack an automobile, but was arrested by police officers in the process, according to evidence.
“This defendant’s reckless driving took the life of a precious young child, seriously injured her mother and devastated both parents," said Gonzalez. "We are committed to improving the safety of Brooklyn’s streets, and I hope the family finds a measure of solace with today’s sentencing, knowing this defendant will be off the streets for a long time.”
