FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Cypress Hills Driver Sentenced to Three to Six Years in Prison
For Hit-and-Run That Killed Cyclist
Defendant Was Speeding through Intersection and Left Without Stopping
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to three to six years in prison for speeding through an intersection, ultimately striking a cyclist and then fleeing the scene. The cyclist, Jose Ramos, 56, was killed in the crash.
District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant showed a callous disregard for public safety by choosing to speed and run a red light, taking the life of a cyclist. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for his reckless actions and reflects our commitment to keeping Brooklyn’s streets safe for all.”
The District Attorney identified the defendant as Julio Sandoval, 34, of Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dena Douglas to an indeterminate term of three to six years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree manslaughter on February 10, 2026.
The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on October 15, 2021, at approximately 10:10 p.m., the defendant was driving at a speed of about 47 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone on Atlantic Avenue in Cypress Hills. The defendant then ran a red light at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Essex Street and struck the victim, who was riding a bicycle in a marked cross walk with his wife. The defendant left the scene without stopping or reporting the incident.
Furthermore, according to the evidence, bystanders called 911 and police responded to the scene. The victim was transported to Interfaith Medical Center, where the victim was pronounced dead due to blunt force trauma of the head, neck, and torso.
The defendant was arrested on January 9, 2023, following an investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jennifer DaRin, of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Karla Watson, Bureau Chief.
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