File Photo
The 63-year-old victim was rushed to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center with severe head trauma.
By Forum Staff
A Brooklyn man has been indicted for allegedly driving his vehicle at 92 mph while under the influence of both alcohol and drugs when he hit and killed a man, who was tending to a minor fender bender on the westbound lanes of the Belt Parkway in December 2020, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Tuesday.
Jason Bical, 35, was arraigned Tuesday morning on an 11-count indictment charging him with aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter in the first and second degree, manslaughter in the second degree, criminally negligent homicide, assault in the second degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, operating a motor vehicle while impaired by combined use of drugs or of alcohol and drugs and reckless driving. Bical was ordered to return to court on Dec. 9.
Photo Courtesy of DA Katz
“All drivers need to be mindful that they share the roads with other motorist and bear a responsibility to be safe and sober,” DA Katz said.
According to the charges, shortly after 1 a.m. on Dec. 9, 2020, the victim, Taher Ali Hassan, also of Brooklyn, was involved in a minor collision on the Belt Parkway with another motorist. Hassan exited his automobile and moments later was struck by a white 2017 Chevrolet Malibu allegedly driven by the defendant. The 63-year-old victim was rushed to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center with severe head trauma. Hassan died as a result of his injuries a day later.
The DA added that Bical took a portable breathalyzer test at the scene which indicated the defendant’s blood alcohol level was allegedly .174 – twice the legal limit. Further toxicology results showed that Bical allegedly had both cocaine and marijuana in his system at the time of the crash. The automobiles crash data recorded allegedly revealed the defendant was driving at 92 mph just five seconds before striking the victim. The posted speed limit on the Belt Parkway is 50 mph.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs unacceptable. The defendant in this case was allegedly intoxicated and driving at speeds up to 92 mph when he struck a person on the Belt Parkway. A family is now mourning a loved one’s untimely and needless death. We must do better. All drivers need to be mindful that they share the roads with other motorist and bear a responsibility to be safe and sober.”
If convicted, Bical faces up to 25 years in prison.
