Driver Charged in Bronx Crash That Killed Livery Cab Driver
Police said Imani Williams was going 77 mph in a 25-mph zone on Webster Avenue when she hit Robert Godwin's TLC-plated Camry in a June 5, 2022 crash that the city recorded as one motorist death at East 168th Street.
What We Know
Police said Imani Williams drove a Chevrolet Traverse north on Webster Avenue at 77 mph in a 25-mph zone, ran a red light at East 168th Street and hit Robert Godwin, a 45-year-old livery cab driver in a Toyota Camry with TLC plates. Godwin had been driving west on East 168th Street, and officials said he had the right of way. The city crash record lists one motorist killed and unsafe speed as a contributing factor. Williams left the scene on foot, police said. In August 2025, after investigators linked DNA from the driver's seat to her, she surrendered and was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene of a fatal accident and reckless driving.
Police described a predawn hit-and-run
Police said Williams was driving a Chevrolet Traverse north on Webster Avenue in a bus lane when she ran a red light at East 168th Street and hit Godwin's Toyota Camry at about 4:30 a.m. Godwin was traveling west and had the right of way, officials said. The city record places the crash at 4:26 a.m. and lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor.
The force of the crash pushed the Camry about 70 feet before the damaged moving vehicles reached a row of parked cars, according to police. The city record lists five involved vehicles, including three parked vehicles.
Robert Godwin was working an overnight livery shift
The Daily News identified the man killed as Robert Godwin, 45, an outgoing livery cab and professional driver who was nearing the end of his regular overnight shift. The Post and Daily News reported that he was driving a Toyota Camry with TLC plates.
The city record lists the person killed as a 45-year-old male driver and occupant. The Post reported that the Toyota driver suffered neck and body trauma and died.
Speed and red-light allegations drove the case
The city record lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor. Police later accused Williams of driving 77 mph in a 25-mph zone, more than triple the limit, and running the red light before the collision.
Witness David Torres told the Daily News that Godwin entered the intersection after his light turned green while other drivers on Webster Avenue were stopping and the Chevy driver was gaining speed.
The driver left, and charges came three years later
Police said Williams got out of the damaged Chevrolet Traverse and left on foot after the crash. The Post reported on the day of the crash that the other driver had fled the scene on foot.
In August 2025, police said Williams surrendered with a lawyer at the 44th Precinct stationhouse after investigators linked DNA from the driver's seat to her. Police said she was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene of a fatal accident and reckless driving.
Webster Avenue remains a high-crash Bronx corridor
The city record places the crash at Webster Avenue and East 168th Street in the Bronx.
CrashCountNYC's corridor summary for Webster Avenue in the Bronx counts 1,562 crashes, 1,088 injuries, 74 serious injuries and 5 deaths from Jan. 1, 2022 through June 1, 2026.