Uber Driver Charged In Teen's Death

Danyal Cheema allegedly allowed a teen to car surf with fatal results.

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

An Uber driver is facing manslaughter charges following the death of a 15-year-old Cold Spring Harbor teen who fell off the roof while car surfing, the Suffolk District Attorney said.

The fall was fatal to Ryan Mullen, who died in his sleep at home the night of the accident.

The driver, Danyal Cheema of Huntington Station, was arrested by Suffolk County Police on Nov. 4 and charged with felony second-degree manslaughter for the accident that occurred Sept. 23 on Cove Road in Huntington. According to the DA Tim Sini’s office, Mullen was one of three intoxicated teens who called Uber to hail a ride.

Cheema picked up the teens around midnight and was driving them to their destination when the passengers offered him $70 to let them get on the roof of the vehicle and “car surf,” the DA said.

Two of the boys climbed on top of the car, while the third recorded the scene on Snapchat, Sini said. Mullen tumbled off the moving vehicle on Cove Road and struck his head.

“In this day and age, we often encourage people to use ride sharing services because it’s a safe alternative to drinking and driving,” Sini said. “These boys were doing that; they were drinking that night and they made the right decision to contract with a car service. Unfortunately the defendant made a reckless decision and engaged in reckless conduct that caused the death of a young boy, and he will be held accountable for that.”

Following the fall, Cheema drove the teens to a residence, where he dropped them off. Mullen died in his sleep, the DA said.

Ryan Mullen died in his sleep at home the night of the accident.

Suffolk County District Court, Judge Jennifer Henry set set bail at $200,000 cash or $400,000 bond. Cheema’s license was also suspended.

Cheema faces five to 15 years in prison if convicted. He will return to court Nov. 9.

Cheema’s attorney Christopher Renfroe did not return a call for comment by deadline.

“This was an incredibly bad decision by the defendant and a bad decision by the boys involved,” Sini said. “But at the end of the day, this defendant is an adult who was contracted to safely bring those boys home and he failed to do that.”