Driver charged after friend dies in Midtown Tesla crash
On September 9, 2026, Alejandra Paharsingh drove a Tesla onto a Midtown sidewalk and into scaffolding, fatally injuring her longtime friend and passenger Elise Suomi, police told the Daily News.
Reported by press, not yet linked to NYC police crash records. This may change when new official records become available or when matching details are reviewed.
Approximate reported location.
What We Know
Police said Alejandra Paharsingh drove a Tesla onto the sidewalk on East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan early on September 9, 2026, hitting scaffolding, a mailbox and an MTA bus stop. She continued east before stopping at Second Avenue, police said. Her passenger and longtime friend, Elise Suomi, died after being taken to Bellevue Hospital. Police said a breath test recorded a blood alcohol level of .229% for Paharsingh, who faced vehicular manslaughter, impaired-driving and leaving-the-scene charges. Suomi was a mother of a 3-month-old daughter and was studying to become a certified nursing assistant, her sister said.
The drive along East 42nd Street
Police said Paharsingh was driving a Tesla east on East 42nd Street around 2:45 a.m. when she went onto the sidewalk and hit scaffolding, a mailbox and an MTA bus stop. She returned to the roadway and continued to Second Avenue before stopping, police said.
Suomi, a passenger, suffered a severe head injury and died after being taken to Bellevue Hospital. Paharsingh had minor injuries.
A Midtown sidewalk near Madison Avenue
The crash occurred near East 42nd Street and Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Police placed the sidewalk incursion between Madison and Park avenues, where scaffolding and an MTA bus stop were among the structures along Paharsingh's path.
A mother working toward a nursing career
Suomi's sister, Jasmine Ortiz, said Suomi had a 3-month-old daughter. Suomi worked as a home health aide and attended Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences, hoping to become a certified nursing assistant. Her brother Angel said the siblings had grown up in shelters and remembered her determination: "She was very motivated to beat the odds."
Ortiz said Suomi and Paharsingh had been friends since high school.
Police reported a high breath-test result
Police said Paharsingh recorded a blood alcohol level of .229% on a breath test after the crash.
Charges and a family's question
Police said Paharsingh faced charges of vehicular manslaughter, driving while ability impaired and leaving the scene of an accident. Ortiz questioned why Paharsingh had not stopped to call for help immediately after the sidewalk impact.