By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz last week announced that an Ozone Park woman has been indicted for speeding through a red light and slamming into another vehicle, seriously injuring her 3-year-old son, 2-year-old daughter and another passenger in her car.
Mariam Alli, 24, was arraigned last Tuesday on an 18-count indictment charging her with three counts of aggravated vehicular assault, three counts of assault in the second degree, vehicular assault in the second degree, two counts of aggravated driving while intoxicated, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, driving in excess of the maximum speed limit, failing to stop at a steady red signal and two counts of operating a motor vehicle without a passenger properly restrained with seat belt or safety seat.
According to the charges and investigation, on Aug. 13, at approximately 9:27 p.m., Alli and a 21-year-old companion were inside the Tropix Lounge on Lefferts Boulevard in South Ozone Park and were seated at the bar. Alli drank multiple beers and the pair left the lounge around 11:30 p.m.
Alli’s two children, ages 2 and 3, were allegedly left unattended inside of Alli’s car for about two hours while their mother was inside the lounge.
At approximately 12:02 a.m., Alli allegedly sped through a steady red light and was driving on the wrong side of the roadway through the intersection of 84th Street and Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park. Alli struck a Mazda SUV that was being driven by a motorist who had the right of way.
Alli’s 3-year-old son was taken to the hospital and treated for a hip fracture and broken tibia. Her 2-year-old daughter was treated for a liver laceration, pulmonary contusion and adrenal hematoma. Neither child was secured in an appropriate car seat.
Alli’s 21-year-old passenger was taken to the hospital with two broken legs, missing teeth and other injuries. Alli was treated at the hospital for a neck fracture, fibular fracture and other injuries. The operator of the Mazda was treated at the hospital for chest pain.
The Honda’s data recorder showed the vehicle was traveling at 57 mph just prior to the collision. The posted speed limit is 25 mph.
Allia’s blood alcohol level was measured to be between .132 percent and .159 percent about an hour after the crash. That is above the legal threshold of .08 percent.
“As alleged, the defendant not only jeopardized the safety of her children by leaving them unattended in a car while she was drinking inside of a bar, but also further endangered their lives – and the lives of everyone else on the road — by then driving drunk. It is a miracle that no one was killed because of the defendant’s alleged reckless actions,” Katz said. “We will aggressively prosecute those who choose to ignore the rules of the road, which are designed to keep us all safe.”
If convicted, Alli faces up to 15 years in prison.
