CLAYTON – A Clayton man was found guilty of second degree murder, felony death by vehicle, and driving on a revoked license impairment revocation Monday afternoon in Johnston County Superior Court.
Seydina Ousmane Ndiaye was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Paul Holcombe to serve a minimum of 18 years to a maximum of 22 years 8 months in the NC Department of Adult Corrections.
The charges arose from a fatal wreck on US 70 Business near the Wake County line on March 13, 2023. At the time of the crash Ndiaye was driving while impaired.
Ndiaye was traveling eastbound on US 70 Business in a red passenger car when he failed to maintain his lane and struck a pedestrian, Yuri Vakhniak, who was loading vehicles onto a car trailer on the shoulder of the road in front of a used car dealership. Vakhniak was preparing to transport a vehicle from the dealership to Tennessee when he was fatally struck.
A test of the defendant’s blood revealed an alcohol concentration of 0.20, more than twice the legal limit in North Carolina. At the time of the collision, Ndiaye had two pending charges for impaired driving.
The jury also found the presence of an aggravating factor: that the defendant knowingly created a great risk of death to more than one person by means or a weapon or device which would normally be hazardous to the lives of more than one person.
Johnston County Assistant District Attorneys Keith Gordon and Hannah Manning prosecuted the case. Ndiaye was represented by Jackie Willingham.
Superior Court Judge Paul Holcombe sentenced Ndiaye at the conclusion of the trial on Monday.
The NC State Highway Patrol and Clayton Police Department conducted the investigation.
Assistant District Attorney Manning stated, “We’re pleased with the outcome of the case and want to thank the jury for their time and patience throughout the matter. Officer Ashton Anderson and Troopers Macy Cannon and Walker Main worked tirelessly to investigate this case. Their diligent work allowed us to deliver justice to the victim’s family. Our deepest sympathies are with the family of Yuri Vakhniak and we hope that this verdict brings them some solace. Impaired driving is a preventable and dangerous crime that the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office will continue to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”
The victim, Yuri Vakhniak and his family, moved from Ukraine to the United States for a better life. He started an auto transport business to support of family, naming the company after his daughter. Yuri is survived by his wife and two children.
He should spend the rest of his life locked up so he cant ever drive again. He should have never been driving but he thougjt the laws mean nothing to him. He killed a man who was just trying to make a living and he had the right to be on the highway. I hope this haunts you forever and that you never get one night of peaceful sleep. You are a pos now we have to keep you up in prison and feed you. You killed a man. You pos!
Useless ——–
Good riddance. Thank you for the prosecution of this murderer. I hope he never gets out.
I can understand the pain and anger his family must feel. But I don’t see how a man with a drinking problem and is drunk can be found guilty of knowing he would hurt others. I know that sounds bad to those who hurt from this situation, but DUI means you got behind the wheel impaired. Impaired descions happen when one is impaired. I can’t say I wouldn’t want the same outcome though.
Impaired descions happen when one is impaired
Classic logic.
Simple solution…..don’t drink and drive.
Great job to everyone involved in this case. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for the officers on scene that day. Prayers for the victim’s family and friends.
Hopefully he will get “prison justice”. I hope he’s placed in general population.