Recent events in Bay Shore, New York, have brought two separate criminal cases to the forefront, both involving severe violence and resulting in fatalities. These cases, prosecuted by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, highlight concerns about public safety and the legal consequences of reckless and intentional acts.

In the first case, Alexander Cerda, a 21-year-old Bay Shore resident, has been indicted on multiple charges, including second-degree manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, and numerous other offenses related to a fatal hit-and-run incident. According to District Attorney Ray Tierney, the incident occurred around 2 a.m. on March 8 when Cerda allegedly broke into a Bay Shore home, damaged a window, and stole an unlocked Toyota RAV4. Surveillance footage purportedly shows Cerda, seemingly intoxicated, driving away in the stolen vehicle.

Approximately ten minutes later, Cerda allegedly drove the stolen car west on Main Street near Shore Lane in Bay Shore “at a high rate of speed” with the headlights off. He then struck 52-year-old Eric Perez, a pedestrian from Bay Shore, causing Perez to be thrown a considerable distance. Following the collision, Cerda allegedly exited the vehicle and photographed the damage while bystanders attempted to assist the victim. Cerda then fled the scene in the stolen Toyota before police arrived. Perez was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives later found the damaged Toyota abandoned in an apartment complex parking lot on South Clinton Avenue near Cerda’s residence. Cerda was arrested four days after the incident. He pleaded not guilty before acting state Supreme Court Justice Anthony Senft, Jr. The charges against him include second-degree manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, vehicular assault, assault, reckless endangerment, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and criminal tampering with evidence.

District Attorney Tierney stated that the charges reflect the severity of the alleged offenses. Defense attorney George Duncan described Cerda as a young man with no prior criminal record and asserted his client's innocence. Justice Senft ordered Cerda held on substantial bail and suspended his license. Cerda faces 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count.

In a separate and equally disturbing case, Ricardo Siguenza, 32, of Bay Shore, was indicted on a charge of second-degree murder for allegedly attacking 44-year-old Carlos Edenilson Cabrera Alvarez of Brentwood with a lug wrench. The attack left Cabrera Alvarez on life support until his death. The incident occurred around 6:47 p.m. on February 25 on Main Street in Bay Shore. According to the District Attorney's office, Siguenza was walking west with a lug wrench when he allegedly struck Cabrera Alvarez in the head as they passed each other.

Cabrera Alvarez collapsed, and Siguenza continued walking. Authorities arrested Siguenza the following morning after an employee at a Main Street bar recognized him from surveillance footage of the attack. Siguenza pleaded not guilty before Justice Anthony S. Senft Jr. Defense attorney George Duncan stated that they maintain their innocence and look forward to reviewing the evidence. Siguenza faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top charge.

Both Cerda and Siguenza are scheduled to return to court on May 2. These cases underscore the serious consequences of both intentional violence and reckless behavior, and the Suffolk County legal system is now tasked with delivering justice in these matters.