Say Drunk Motorist Caused Fatal Collision
The new year got off to a deadly start in Maspeth when an alleged drunk driver from Jackson Heights crashed his ride into another vehicle and killed its driver in a fiery crash on the Long Island Expressway early on Sunday morning, Jan. 1, police reported.
The identity of the victim, a man, was not disclosed by police.
Law enforcement sources said the alleged drunk driver, identified as 28- year-old Alexis Morillo of 96th Street in Jackson Heights, was listed in stable condition after being injured in the collision.
He was subsequently held on manslaughter and other charges in connection with the incident.
Fire Department sources said the deadly crash occurred at around 5:05 a.m. Sunday morning along the Long Island Expressway’s westbound lanes at the exit to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.
According to information obtained by police, Morillo was behind the wheel of a 2007 Mitsubishi Galant traveling at a high rate of
–SEE ACCIDENT ON PG. 26- speed on the roadway. Seconds later, it was reported, the vehicle collided with the rear of a Lincoln Town Car driven by the victim near the exit ramp.
Upon being struck, Fire Department sources said, the victim’s vehicle burst into flames.
Responding to the incident (in numerical order) were members of Engine companies 211, 229 and 259; Ladder companies 128 and 146; Battalion 45; the 104th Precinct, NYPD Highway Patrol Unit 3; Emergency Services Unit 10 and EMS units.
The man inside the burned sedan was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine his identity.
Following questioning, Morillo was placed under arrest by P.O. Jonathan Zak; the suspect was subsequently transported to Elmhurst Hospital Center for treatment of injuries that were not considered to be lifethreatening. He was charged with manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, DWI and reckless driving.
The NYPD Accident Investigation Squad conducted the inquiry, police said.
