Yonkers official pleads not guilty to drunk driving in head-on crash
Posted: Updated:Yonkers Deputy Communication Director Akeem Jamal was arraigned today on multiple charges, stemming from an alleged DWI wrong-way crash back in September.
Jamal, confined to a wheelchair, faced a judge during a brief appearance in Yonkers City Court.
The 22-year-old pleaded not guilty to several charges, including driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.
Investigators say Jamal was drunk in the early morning hours of Sept. 15 when he was driving his BMW northbound in the southbound lane on Central Avenue and slammed head-on into an SUV traveling southbound. They say Jamal suffered head and body injuries that are not considered life-threatening.
The driver of the SUV, a 53-year-old Dutchess County resident, suffered head and leg injuries not considered life-threatening.
Jamal has worked for the Yonkers mayor since 2015 and was appointed to the communications team this past summer.
His driver’s license has been suspended. He's due back in court on Jan. 14.
Mayor Mike Spano says Jamal will remain on his staff throughout the court proceedings. He expects him to remain on the staff after the court case is over.
