Ex-NYPD Officer, Driver Face Manslaughter in Fatal Crash

WEST ISLIP, NY – A night of reckless speed ended in tragedy, and now two individuals are facing serious consequences. Former New York City Police Department (NYPD) Officer Stanley Cadet, 27, of North Babylon, and Kayla Lopez, 28, of Bayshore, have been indicted on charges of Manslaughter in the Second Degree following a high-speed collision that killed Anna Wilson and injured three others. The crash, which occurred in the early hours of May 11, 2024, is a stark reminder of the dangers of irresponsible driving.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, both Cadet and Lopez were tearing down Union Boulevard at speeds exceeding 100 MPH. Witnesses and evidence collected at the scene indicate the pair blew through a red light and proceeded to drive side-by-side for half a mile in a single lane. The situation escalated rapidly as they approached the Route 231 overpass, resulting in a violent collision. Lopez’s vehicle spun out of control, slamming into multiple telephone poles.

The impact ejected Anna Wilson, a passenger in Lopez’s car, who was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Another passenger sustained serious injuries. Cadet, who was off-duty and driving his personal vehicle, walked away from the scene, but now faces the full weight of the law. The charges against both defendants also include Assault in the Second and Third Degrees, Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, Reckless Driving, Excessive Speed, and Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device.

Both Cadet and Lopez were arraigned before Judge Ambro in Suffolk County and released on supervised release. They are scheduled to return to court on November 17, 2025. If convicted, they could face an indeterminate sentence of five to 15 years in prison. The case highlights the Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI)’s commitment to investigating all incidents involving potential police misconduct resulting in death, regardless of whether the officer was on or off duty.

Governor Kathy Hochul appointed the Attorney General’s Office as a special prosecutor on August 8, 2025, to investigate and prosecute this matter, demonstrating the seriousness with which the state is treating this case. OSI’s investigation revealed the dangerous conditions leading up to the crash, prompting the indictment. The Attorney General’s Office is leaving no stone unturned in seeking justice for Anna Wilson and her family.

It’s crucial to remember that these are merely accusations at this stage. Both Stanley Cadet and Kayla Lopez are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the evidence presented paints a grim picture of a reckless act with devastating consequences. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available.