By Forum Staff
A Far Rockaway man has been charged in a Saturday night car crash in Jamaica that killed his passenger, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Sunday.
Nick Thompson, 35, has been arraigned on a complaint charging him with aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter in the first degree, manslaughter in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, driving while intoxicated with two prior convictions within 10 years, criminally negligent homicide, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first and third degrees, reckless driving, speed restrictions, and driving by unlicensed operator.
Thompson was remanded and ordered to return court this Friday, Oct. 2.
According to the charges, at approximately 6:40 p.m. Saturday, Thompson was illegally operating a 2015 gray BMW traveling eastbound on Rockaway Boulevard at a high rate of speed. City cops were also driving eastbound in an unmarked police vehicle when the defendant nearly struck their vehicle, causing the officers to swerve out the way. After passing the police officers’ vehicle, Thompson allegedly veered off the road and crashed into a metal fence and trees. The officers approached the wreckage and observed the defendant exiting the vehicle.
After a search warrant was issued by the court and executed by the police, the vehicle’s crash data recorder indicated that Thompson was traveling at 97 mph five seconds prior to impact. DA Katz said police responding to the scene observed a female, Jolenna Favor, 32, of Far Rockaway sitting in the front passenger seat with severe head and body trauma. She was pronounced dead at the scene by an EMT officer.
According to the charges, Thompson, who was immediately transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center by NYPD officers, admitted that he was driving the vehicle when he lost control and crashed, and that his friend “Lena” was in the passenger seat.
Thompson allegedly had bloodshot and watery eyes, and police detected a heavy odor of alcohol on his breath. He refused to submit to a Breathalyzer test, according to the criminal charges.
Furthermore, records obtained from the State Division of Criminal Justice Services indicate that the defendant was previously convicted of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Nassau County on Sept. 26, 2011, and in Chester County, Penn. on March 9, 2015; and that Thompson’s license was revoked on Nov. 10, 2011 for a driving while intoxicated conviction.
“As a result of this defendant’s alleged criminal behavior, a woman’s life has been tragically cut short. From the moment the defendant allegedly got behind the wheel of the car, intoxicated and with a revoked license, he was breaking the law and endangering the lives of everyone on the road. He will be held accountable for his alleged actions to the fullest extent of the law.”
If convicted, Thompson faces up to 25 years in prison.
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Klaus with K
