RICHMOND HILL — A 41-year-old Richmond Hill man was arrested Oct. 13 after he allegedly drove into several parked vehicles and was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol, the Queens district attorney said.
Victor Zapata, of 94-20 115th St. in Richmond Hill, was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Ira Margolis on charges of driving without a license, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and consumption of alcohol on the street, Queens DA Richard Brown said. His bail was set at $1,500, Brown said.
A 23-year-old witness told police he saw the defendant smash his 2003 Ford van into a number of parked cars at the intersection of 78th Street and 90th Avenue in Richmond Hill, the DA said. Police found nine vehicles that had been damaged, Brown said.
Police found the defendant's van parked against the door of a house on 90th Avenue and discovered the van's left front wheel on 78th Street, the DA said. Officers also allegedly smelled the strong odor of alcohol on the defendant's breath and reported that he was unsteady on his feet, Brown said.
At the time of his arrest, the defendant could not produce a driver's license, the DA said. Police found a bottle containing an alcoholic beverage in the van, which the defendant admitted to driving, the DA said.
