Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
Cones and caution tape have temporarily replaced the low brick wall that was destroyed when the Lyft driver’s Toyota Rav 4 flew into it after being blasted by Chimborazo’s Ford Explorer.
By Michael V. Cusenza
A Brooklyn man has been charged with allegedly driving while intoxicated, running a steady red light and slamming into a Lyft driver in Maspeth early Sunday morning, killing the married father of three, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday.
Erik Chimborazo, 22, was arraigned Monday morning on a complaint charging him with manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, criminally negligent homicide, operating a motor vehicle while under influence of alcohol or drugs, operation motor vehicle while under influence of alcohol, registration of motor vehicles; fees; renewals, issuance, number, location and condition of vehicle plates, driving by unlicensed operator. Bail was set at $10,000 cash or bond. Bail was posted and Chimborazo was released from Rikers Island on Tuesday.
Chimborazo has been ordered to return to court on Thursday, June 17.
According to the charges, on June 13, between 3:45 a.m. and 4:15 a.m., Chimborazo, who was driving a black Ford Explorer at a high rate of speed eastbound on Eliot Avenue. Chimborazo ran a steady red light and slammed into a Toyota Rav 4, driven by Hossain Mohammed, 47. Mohammed was travelling south on Fresh Pond Road and had the green light.
The victim, an immigrant from Bangladesh, was immediately transported to Wyckoff Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. A passenger, seated in the rear of the victim’s vehicle, was removed to another borough hospital where he underwent treatment for a broken femur as a result of the collision.
Photo Courtesy of Google
The intersection of Fresh Pond Road and Eliot Avenue is incredibly busy at all hours.
According to the charges, Chimborazo was also taken to a hospital where a portable breath test was administered and later indicated that his blood-alcohol contact was .16 – which is above the legal limit of .08 in New York City.
A search of the motor vehicles database indicated that Chimborazo does not possess a New York State Drivers’ License and that the plate number of the Ford SUV does not have a valid registration. The plate number does not belong to the SUV and has a different VIN number that does not match the aforementioned vehicle.
“The rules of the road exist to save lives. As alleged, this defendant ignored them and made selfish, illegal decisions from the moment he got behind the wheel of the car, with tragic results,” Katz said. “The defendant allegedly drove without a license and without registration, at an unlawfully high speed and twice the legal blood alcohol limit, through a red light. Now, a hardworking family man is dead, his widow, children and community are in mourning and the defendant faces justice in the courts.”
If convicted, Chimborazo faces up to 15 years in prison.
