The driver allegedly responsible for fatally striking a beloved Bronx football coach just days after Thanksgiving has turned himself in to police, authorities said.
Sheydon McLean, 25, surrendered to officers at the 47th Precinct on Thursday, May 8, in connection with the Nov. 30, 2024, crash that killed 60-year-old Dwight Downer in Baychester.
Following an investigation, police determined that McLean was driving a 2013 BMW eastbound on Eastchester Road at around 12:10 a.m. when he allegedly blew a red light at Givan Avenue and collided with a northbound pickup truck.
After hitting the pickup, McLean’s vehicle slammed into several parked cars before finally coming to a stop, according to police. Downer had just parked his Nissan Murano at the location and was also hit by the BMW as he got out of the vehicle.
Downer, a retired correction officer, was rushed to Jacobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The driver of the pickup truck, 27-year-old Orville Berry, fled the scene but was arrested last month on charges of leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
McLean, who remained at the scene and was hospitalized with injuries, was not arrested at the time. Pursuant to the investigation, it was later found that he had been driving without a license and in a reckless manner. He was charged Thursday with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and driving without a license.
Detectives escorted McLean out of the precinct in handcuffs Thursday. With a hood pulled tight over his head and his hair covering his face, McLean bowed his head and did not respond to questions from reporters.
Downer, affectionately known as “Coach D,” was a fixture in the Bronx football community. He volunteered with the Bronx Buccaneers Youth Football Program and DeWitt Clinton High School for more than a decade, mentoring hundreds of young athletes.
A candlelight vigil held at Williamsbridge Oval days after the crash drew dozens of players, fellow coaches, family and friends, all mourning the loss of a man many saw as a father figure and leader.
“I just miss my best friend,” said Downer’s partner, Tasha Andrews. “I miss my partner. I just miss his presence.”
Mourners formed a tight semicircle around photos of Downer, resembling a football huddle. Many wore Bronx Buccaneers uniforms and DeWitt Clinton letterman jackets. Current and former players shared stories, reflecting on how “Coach D” inspired them both on and off the field.
Christian Murray contributed to this story
