By Ayala Ben-Yehuda
A 6-year-old boy was hit by a car and critically injured in Elmhurst Friday by a driver who allegedly fled the scene and then left the car blocks away from the accident, authorities said.
Esleyder Bolivar, 31, of Elmhurst was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of the accident at 52nd Avenue and 92nd Street, police said. He faces up to four years in prison if convicted on the felony offense.
Bolivar was driving a white Jeep Wrangler southbound on 92nd Street shortly after 3 p.m. Friday when he allegedly struck the 6-year-old boy crossing the street from west to east at 52nd Avenue, police said.
The boy, identified in the criminal complaint by Queens District Attorney Richard Brown as Angel Gimenez, was thrown in the air and landed on the ground, sustaining a fractured skull, the complaint said.
“The defendant did not stop to check the victim’s condition or report the accident,” the complaint said.
Bolivar allegedly told authorities he “felt something hit the passenger side of the vehicle” and “turned his head and saw a child laying on the ground, then drove away.”
Gimenez was in critical but stable condition Tuesday at Long Island Jewish Hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said. Published reports said the boy lived in Elmhurst, but his family could not be reached for comment.
Police said after the boy was struck, the driver made a right turn going westbound onto 52nd Avenue. The Jeep was later found at 51st Avenue and Broadway, police said.
Bolivar was arraigned Saturday in front of Queens Supreme Court Judge Gene Lopez, who set bail at $10,000. Bolivar’s attorney could not be reached for comment.
A law enforcement source said there was no evidence that Bolivar had been speeding or drinking at the time of the accident. The source said three other people were in the car with him at the time.
Kim Sung, who was working at the First Town Deli and Grocery at the intersection where Gimenez was struck, said he heard a bang outside the store and then ran out and saw the boy with blood on his face.
Sung pointed out there was no stop sign heading southbound on 92nd Street and said many drivers sped through the crossing, located near PS 13.
Reach reporter Ayala Ben-Yehuda by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
