By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Friday that Mahindra Hansraj was sentenced to 18 years in prison for a February 2023 collision that severely injured and eventually killed Tauree Thompson of Richmond Hill.
Hansraj, 19, of South Ozone Park, pleaded guilty on Sept. 4 to manslaughter in the first degree in satisfaction of the charges against him. The Hon. Kenneth Holder sentenced Hansraj last Thursday to 18 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.
According to the charges, on Feb. 20, 2023, at approximately 9:37 p.m., Hansraj and two others were in the vicinity of 104-21 Lefferts Blvd. in South Ozone Park at the same time as Thompson was standing near his 2006 Lexus RX, with its doors unlocked and engine running. Hansraj entered the driver’s seat of the vehicle and his two companions also went into the car.
Photo Courtesy of Edmunds.com
Hansraj tried to steal Thompson’s 2006 Lexus RX, similar to the one pictured.
Thompson jumped onto the roof of his car to stop the theft. Hansraj sped away with Thompson still on the roof. He drove through a red light and swerved back and forth until he crashed into a fire hydrant. The impact caused Thompson to be thrown from the vehicle onto the pavement.
The victim sustained a traumatic brain injury and remained in a coma until his death in January 2024. The medical examiner determined his death was caused by remote blunt force injuries suffered during the collision.
“The defendant thought he could get away with a brazen car theft and was undeterred even with the vehicle’s owner clinging to the automobile’s roof,” Katz said. “His reckless actions led to the death of 29-year-old Tauree Thompson. We hope today’s sentence brings a measure of comfort to Thompon’s loved ones as they continue to mourn his senseless loss.”
