17-year-old from Albany receives sentencing for deadly crash

Caleb Maya, a 17-year-old from Albany, was sentenced to three to nine years in state prison after pleading guilty to second-degree manslaughter in a fatal car crash case. The incident occurred on October 7, 2023, when Maya drove over 100 miles per hour on Interstate 890 in Colonie, causing the death of 14-year-old A’Mon Willis and injuring two other victims. Willis was ejected from the vehicle during the crash, resulting in his death.

Both parents of A’Mon Willis, Jessica and Alphonso Willis, issued statements on the case expressing their profound grief and loss. Jessica Willis described the pain she feels every day since her son’s passing, feeling broken and forever changed by the tragic event. Alphonso Willis expressed his struggles with sadness and guilt as a parent, reflecting on the everyday reminders of his son’s absence. The impact of A’Mon’s death continues to weigh heavily on the family.

Maya was not granted status as a youthful offender and his guilty plea fully satisfied the initial indictment, which included charges of second-degree assault, two counts of third-degree assault, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. In the pre-sentence investigation report, Albany District Attorney Mary Tanner-Richter highlighted Maya’s reckless actions and disregard for safety, emphasizing that he lost the right to refer to A’Mon Willis as his friend or brother due to the catastrophic consequences of his choices.

The sentencing of Caleb Maya to three to nine years in state prison serves as a measure of accountability for his role in the fatal car crash. Despite claiming A’Mon Willis as his best friend and brother, Maya’s actions, including driving a stolen car at high speeds while under the influence, resulted in tragic outcomes for multiple individuals. The District Attorney’s Office, the parents of A’Mon Willis, and the community as a whole continue to grapple with the impact of this devastating event.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible and safe driving practices to prevent the loss of life and injury on the roadways. The consequences of reckless behavior behind the wheel can have far-reaching and devastating effects on individuals and families. As the legal process moves forward, the memory of A’Mon Willis lives on, serving as a reminder of the need for accountability and justice in cases of negligent or criminal actions that result in harm to others.