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New Rochelle native Jyrel Daniel had come home from college in June 2016 when he was in a car with his friends that was struck by a driver in a BMW going 75 mph in a posted 25 mph. First responders had to utilize the Jaws of Life to remove Daniel from the vehicle, putting him in a coma for six months and leaving him with a traumatic brain injury.
After the crash, Daniel, a New Rochelle High School graduate, experienced brain swelling, constant seizures, muscle contracture and was left completely bedridden. According to lohud, doctors gave him a 3 percent chance to survive the crash, and a portion of his skull was removed, leaving him with a titanium mesh to protect his brain.
Following the crash, Daniel’s mother took a leave of absence from her job as a teacher in the Bronx to take care of her son, alongside a team of specialists and physical therapists. He was monitored 24 hours a day until his death on Sunday. According to his mother, Daniel loved Power Rangers, Harry Potter, Pokemon and Star Wars. When he wasn’t playing basketball with his friends or playing video games he was attempting to get his MBA.
The driver of the other car, Ramel Douglas, was arrested following an investigation and charged with two counts of second-degree assault. It was unclear if those charges would be upgraded following Daniel’s death.
A GoFundMe fundraising page originally started after the crash is once again circulating to help Daniel’s family offset funeral costs. Those interested in donating can do so here.
There will be visitation hours from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28 at the Lloyd Maxcy Funeral Home on Shea Place in New Rochelle. There will be a service held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4 and a private interment.
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