Bronx Drunk Driving Accident Leaves Passenger Dead

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THE BRONX — An alleged drunk driver has been arrested after hitting a pole late Monday night, killing the backseat passenger, officials said.

The driver, Chad Bennett, 18, of Wakefield, hit a parked van with his 1998 Nissan Altima in front of 3990 Webster Ave. next to the Woodlawn cemetary at around 11:17 p.m., an NYPD spokesman said. He allegedly lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a utility pole.

Kevin Lee, 23, of Edenwald, was sitting in the backseat when the car hit the pole. Cops said Lee sustained serious body trauma and was taken to Montefiore Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Bennett and another passenger, an unidentified 23-year-old, were taken to Jacobi Hospital, and both are in stable condition.

Bennett has been arrested, and charged with vehicular manslaughter, reckless endangerment, criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving, speeding and driving while intoxicated, police said.