We have an update from the courts today on the status of the case against Domonic Whilby, the young man accused of driving a stolen truck while drunk and crashing into a city bus, causing the death of 17-year veteran MTA driver William Pena in February. Pena grew up on the Lower East Side and still has many ties to the neighborhood; his family and friends have been rallying neighbors and union members to support the prosecution’s side of the case.
NY1 is reporting this afternoon that a judge has refused to drop the charges against Whilby, a request his lawyers had pushed, and set a trial for Sept. 10. More from the story:
Domonic Whilby is facing multiple charges including depraved indifference, murder and reckless endangerment.
His attorney tried to argue that Whilby didn’t comprehend what he was doing because he was drunk at the time of the incident.
But a judge refused to throw out any of the charges.
Outside of court, Pena’s friends and fellow bus drivers were grateful.
“We want the maximum sentence. And nothing else. We want no plea-bargaining. We want the maximum sentence. Mr. Whilby is still alive. He’s got a whole life ahead of him. We will never, ever see William again,” said Pena’s common law wife, Nancy Rodriguez.
