Photo Courtesy of Google
The accident occurred at the intersection of 103rd Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park.
By Michael V. Cusenza
A Brooklyn man has been indicted by a borough grand jury for allegedly crashing into a vehicle and running away on foot, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Friday. The Christmas Eve 2020 crash killed the female passenger in a ride-share car; the driver was also injured, Katz noted.
Jason Liriano, 23, was arraigned Thursday on a four-count indictment charging him with criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree and driving in excess of the maximum speed limit.
Liriano was ordered to return to court on Dec. 2.
Photo Courtesy of DA Katz
“This defendant’s alleged actions caused heartache and grief. He will be held accountable in our judicial system,” DA Katz (third from l.) said.
Shortly after 7 p.m. on Dec. 24, 2020, Liriano, behind the wheel of a black 2020 Lamborghini, allegedly slammed into a Toyota Camry on 103rd Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard. The backseat passenger Ritawantee Persaud, 54, and the driver were injured in the crash. Liriano and one of his passengers quickly exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot. Another passenger riding with Liriano was injured and remained at the crash site.
Both Persaud and the driver of the Toyota were immediately transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center where Persaud was pronounced dead. The driver of the Toyota sustained severe head and body trauma, but survived.
“Behind the wheel of an expensive sports car, the defendant allegedly drove at a high rate of speed and hit the other car on the rear passenger side. As alleged, his careless driving sadly resulted in the tragic death of an innocent woman. We all bear a responsibility on our shared roadways,” Katz said. “This defendant’s alleged actions caused heartache and grief. He will be held accountable in our judicial system.”
If convicted, Liriano faces up to seven years in prison.
