Photo Courtesy of East Coast Roads
The crash took place on the westbound LIE near Woodhaven Boulevard.
By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Thursday that a Laurelton man has been indicted for allegedly causing a chain of collisions on the Long Island Expressway in October 2022 that resulted in the death of a tow operator and serious injury to a motorist.
Denzel Porter, 28, was arraigned Thursday on an indictment charging him with vehicular assault in the first and second degree, assault in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in second degree, criminally negligent homicide, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and operating or driving an unregistered motor vehicle.
According to the charges, on Oct. 8, 2022, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Porter was driving with two female passengers at an extremely high speed in a Dodge Durango on the westbound side of the Long Island Expressway near Woodhaven Boulevard. At the same time, 47-year-old tow operator Carlos Santiago was outside his Ram truck on the right shoulder of the roadway helping 27-year-old motorist Rakiem Ali with his disabled Nissan sedan.
Photo Courtesy of East Coast Roads
The crash took place on the westbound LIE near Woodhaven Boulevard.
Porter’s Dodge Durango slammed into a silver Volkswagen SUV driven by Peter Park, 66, and both the Dodge and Volkswagen then collided into the Nissan sedan, striking Santiago and Ali, who were standing nearby. Santiago was thrown towards the service road parallel to the expressway and suffered severe lower body trauma, including the loss of one of his legs.
The Nissan owner and tow operator were both taken to a local hospital. Santiago was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries. Ali required intensive surgical care for his injuries. Both passengers of the Dodge Durango and the Volkswagen driver were also taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-critical injuries.
Investigators responding to the scene of the accident indicated that they observed the defendant exhibiting signs of intoxication.
“There’s nothing more selfish than getting behind the wheel and driving under the influence. Everyone with whom we share the road deserves our respect and consideration and has every right to reach their destination safely. The defendant is alleged to have been driving while intoxicated and will be held to account for the tragic consequences of that decision,” Katz said.
If convicted, Porter faces up to seven years in prison.
