Two Arraigned for Drag Racing Crash that Caused Passenger’s Death
BOSTON, July 29, 2022—Two men are accused of drag racing on a residential street in June, causing the crash that killed 36-year-old Jennice Sanchez, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.
SEAN DESIREE, 31, of Boston and Damiel Griffiths of Dorchester were arraigned separately this week in the Dorchester Division of Boston Municipal Court. Desiree was arraigned today on charges of manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol, motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, racing another motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a crash causing personal injury or death and leaving the scene of a crash causing property damage. ADA Emma Sipperly requested bail of $20,000 and orders that Desiree not drive and not consume alcohol if he is to be released on bail. Judge Thomas Kaplanes imposed $10,000 bail and declined to impose conditions of release. Griffiths was arraigned Wednesday on charges of manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol, motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, racing another motor vehicle, operating under the influence of alcohol, and civil infractions including failure to stop/yield, speeding and a marked lanes violation. ADA Amanda Sheehan requested bail of $10,000 and orders that Griffiths be required to use a SCRAM device, remain alcohol free subject to random testing, surrender his passport and not drive. Kaplanes imposed the requested bail and ordered Griffiths to remain alcohol free subject to random testing and use a SCRAM device.
Prosecutors told the court that the two men were racing one another at speeds of up to 71 miles per hour around 2 a.m. on June 11 when they became involved in a crash that resulted in Sanchez’ death. Griffiths was operating a 2003 Infinity with Sanchez accompanying him in the motor vehicle while racing a BMW operated by Desiree on Washington Street. Desiree is accused of crossing the center median in order to pass the other vehicle. While the cars were parallel on the two-lane roadway, Griffiths veered left in an apparent attempt to avoid another vehicle. The passenger’s side of the BMW operated by Desiree and the driver’s side of the Infinity operated by Griffiths came into contact, causing both vehicles to lose control.
The BMW struck two other vehicles, traveled through a red light and came to a stop on Park Street. Desiree then fled the scene. The Infinity struck another vehicle and then a building. Griffiths was able to exit the car, while Sanchez remained trapped in the front passenger’s seat, unconscious and suffering from injuries that would ultimately claim her life. Members of the Boston Fire Department and Boston EMS manually extracted Sanchez from the vehicle, and she was transported to Carney Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. Griffiths, the registered owner of the Infinity, was taken to Boston Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Police spoke to Desiree, the registered owner of the BMW involved in the crash, at his home following the collision. He denied being involved in a motor vehicle accident. He reported that his car was stolen – a claim prosecutors allege is untrue.
During the course of an exhaustive investigation, Boston Police detectives secured evidence including video footage capturing the crash, data stored by the BMW that was registered to Desiree indicating speeds of up to 71 miles per hour at the time of the crash, Griffiths’ emergency room treatment records showing that there was alcohol in his blood at the time of the crash and clothing seized from Desiree’s residence that matches the clothing worn by the BMW’s driver as he fled the crash. In addition, cell phones belonging to Griffiths and Desiree were located inside the respective vehicles they were operating in the crash. Phone records show that the two were in communication with one another throughout the night and early morning hours leading up to the fatal crash.
Jillian Rose of the DA’s Homicide Unit is the assigned victim witness advocate. Desiree is represented by attorney Steve Weymouth. Griffiths was represented at arraignment by attorney Aaron Lazar. Both return to court September 26.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications