An Albany man has been charged with attempted murder after police said he strangled his sister while she was driving, sending the vehicle into the Hudson River and then trying to drown her after the crash.
Ahmed Hemedan, 20, pleaded not guilty Monday in Albany City Court to a charge of attempted murder, according to WNYT and CBS6 Albany.
Hemedan was ordered held without bail at the Albany County Jail, and the judge issued a temporary order of protection barring him from contacting his sister. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Aug. 14 at 9:30 a.m.
The case has emerged as a major focus of Albany NY news after a reported Sunday afternoon attack at the Corning Preserve Boat Launch on Quay Street.
Police describe attack at Albany boat launch
Albany police responded to the boat launch at approximately 3:30 p.m. Sunday after receiving reports that a vehicle had entered the Hudson River.
Investigators determined that Hemedan was a passenger in the vehicle and that his sister was driving, according to CBS6 Albany. Police said Hemedan placed his arm around the woman’s neck while she was operating the car, allegedly strangling her and causing the vehicle to leave the launch area and enter the river.
The vehicle became submerged as it moved into the water. Authorities said the woman was then removed from the vehicle through the driver’s-side window.
According to court papers cited by WNYT, Hemedan allegedly placed the woman in a chokehold and held her head underwater, causing her to lose consciousness. The attempted-murder charge is based on the allegation that the conduct was intended to cause her death.
The allegations have not been tested at trial. Hemedan is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Editorial image; it does not depict the actual vehicle, victim or recovery operation.
Bystanders helped bring woman to shore
Emergency responders and bystanders assisted in pulling both people from the water, officials said.
One bystander, identified by WNYT only as “Smalls,” told the station that he heard the crash and went into the river after seeing the vehicle in the water. He said he observed the woman struggling and described Hemedan as holding her in a headlock.
Another person also appeared to intervene, according to the witness account reported by WNYT.
The woman received emergency treatment at the scene before being transported to Albany Medical Center. She was listed in stable condition, according to reports from both WNYT and CBS6 Albany.
The rescue unfolded at a heavily used public waterfront area along the Albany shoreline, where boat launches, walking paths and river access bring residents and visitors close to the Hudson River. The incident prompted an immediate response from police, emergency medical personnel and civilians in the area.
Defendant pleads not guilty
Hemedan was arrested at the scene and arraigned in Albany City Court on Monday.
He pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and was remanded without bail. The court also issued a temporary order of protection for the alleged victim.
The scheduled preliminary hearing is expected to address the prosecution’s initial evidence and determine how the case will proceed. A preliminary hearing does not determine guilt or innocence; it allows the court to evaluate whether prosecutors have established sufficient grounds for the charges to continue.
The prosecution could present evidence related to the vehicle’s movement into the river, the alleged strangulation, the rescue and the woman’s medical condition. Additional charges could be considered as the investigation continues, although authorities had not announced further counts in the reports reviewed for this article.
Hemedan’s defense attorney and representatives for the Albany County District Attorney’s Office were not quoted in the reports reviewed.
Editorial image; it does not depict the actual responders or people involved in the case.
Investigation remains active
Police are continuing to examine the circumstances leading up to the crash and the events that followed in the water.
Investigators may review witness statements, emergency response records, medical evidence and any available surveillance or cellphone data from the boat launch. The condition and account of the alleged victim could also become significant as prosecutors build the case.
The incident highlights the risks faced by people involved in violent confrontations near waterways, where a vehicle entering the water can create an immediate rescue emergency even before other alleged conduct is considered. Responders must manage submerged vehicles, unstable river conditions and the possibility that occupants may be trapped or unconscious.
Officials have not released a possible motive. Because the alleged victim and defendant are siblings, the case may involve additional family and protective-order considerations as it moves through Albany County’s criminal court system.
Authorities also have not released extensive information about the woman’s injuries beyond reports that she was treated and listed in stable condition.
What happens next
The Aug. 14 preliminary hearing is the next public court date identified in the reports. The proceeding could provide additional information about the evidence and the prosecution’s account of the alleged attack.
If the case advances, Hemedan could face further court appearances, motions and possible grand-jury proceedings. The timeline will depend on the court, prosecutors and defense counsel.
The attempted-murder charge carries serious potential consequences, but the final outcome will depend on evidence presented through the legal process. Any later filing, plea agreement or trial determination could change the status of the case.
New York News Daily will continue following developments as they become available through official court records, law-enforcement statements and verified local reporting. Readers seeking broader New York breaking news, Upstate New York news, and updates from the Capital Region can follow the publication’s continuing coverage.
Editorial image; it does not depict the defendant, courtroom proceedings or any specific court building involved in the case.
Sources
- WNYT: Albany man pleads not guilty to attempted murder for trying to drown sister
- WNYT: New details on Albany man arrested for allegedly trying to kill sister
- CBS6 Albany: Albany man held without bail after alleged attack sent car into Hudson River