Two women lost their lives after their Tesla crashed into a White Plains, New York apartment building on Monday morning, September 16, 2024. The victims were later identified as 70-year-old Millie Ortiz Sheehan and her daughter-in-law, 36-year-old Diana Trochez Sheehan, both from Hartsdale, New York. The two women were returning home after dropping off Trochez Sheehan’s children at daycare when the accident occurred.
According to police reports, the Tesla lost control, hit a curb, and crashed into a tree before slamming into the front of the building on Battle Avenue. Both the car and the building caught fire shortly after impact. First responders arrived at the scene but were unable to rescue the victims trapped inside the vehicle.
The crash caused additional injuries, though not fatal ones. Two children inside the apartment building were treated for minor injuries at the scene, while a jogger was hit by flying debris and taken to a nearby hospital. According to police, the jogger suffered minor injuries and was expected to recover fully.
Greenburgh Town Councilman Francis Sheehan, Millie’s husband, shared the deep sadness his family is facing, describing the loss as an overwhelming shock. He reflected on how Millie and Diana were loved by everyone for their kindness. Sheehan explained that Diana was more than just a daughter-in-law to them, and they had a close relationship, seeing each other every day as they lived nearby. Diana’s husband, also named Francis Sheehan, is a fire captain in Scarsdale.
He further shared that just six minutes before the accident, the women had dropped off Diana’s 18-month-old child and another grandchild at a local daycare. The councilman noted that the family is incredibly close-knit. “Millie babysat daily our four grandchildren. Diana loved all our grandkids as her own,” Sheehan added.
The incident left the neighborhood shaken. Yesica Genis, a resident, described the aftermath: “It’s just kind of scary to see what happened, and we walk outside every day… it’s pretty sad.”
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash. While some witnesses and residents suspect speed may have played a role, no official reason has been determined. “This was a big impact, so she was doing substantial speed,” said property owner Bob Kraus. However, he acknowledged that it was unclear whether the accident was due to human error or a technical failure with the vehicle.
Local public works crews arrived the following day to repair the damage caused by the crash and the ensuing fire. A bouquet of flowers was seen tied to the tree that the car struck as a small memorial to the two women.