Hit-&-Run Drunk Driver Caught In M.V.
Using a license plate that fell off a vehicle that struck and severely injured a man on a Middle Village street on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 7, police found the alleged drunk driver responsible for the accident a short distance from the crime scene, it was reported.
Police said 23-year-old Abraham Espinoza of 73rd Place in Jackson Heights was collared after he allegedly struck several parked vehicles in the vicinity of Juniper Valley Road and 78th Street.
Authorities stated that Espinoza crashed his ride while allegedly fleeing from the corner of Caldwell Avenue and 61st Drive after striking a male victim at the location at around 4:15 p.m. Sunday. The victim was hospitalized with serious injuries including a fractured spine and a lacerated liver, law enforcement sources noted.
According to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, the man was standing on Caldwell Avenue while removing bags out of the passenger’s side of his when he was struck by a red 2003 Ford vehicle allegedly operated by Espinoza.
After sideswiping the car and striking the male victim, law enforcement sources said, the suspect did not stop and sped away from the scene.
Members of the 104th Precinct and EMS units responded to the location. The male victim, who momentarily lost consciousness, was rushed to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to make a recovery.
While investigating that accident, police reportedly recovered a license plate which apparently fell off the vehicle which struck the man.
Police were then alerted to an accident in the vicinity of Juniper Valley Road and 78th Street. Authorities determined that one of the vehicles involved had a license plate matching the one involved in the hit-and-run accident on Caldwell Avenue.
Officers from the 104th Precinct rushed to the second scene and found Espinoza allegedly standing outside a red 2003 Ford vehicle, which lacked a front license plate. Law enforcement sources said that the vehicle had a damaged front and was missing one of the front wheels.
Three nearby parked cars also sustained damage after being struck by the Ford, authorities noted.
While questioning Espinoza, the criminal complaint noted, officers observed that he was exhibiting signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and unsteadiness.
Espinoza was reportedly brought by police to the 112th Precinct stationhouse in Forest Hills, where an intoxilyzer test was administered. Prosecutors noted that the exam found that the suspect allegedly had a blood alcohol level of 0.175, well above the legal limit of 0.08.
He was taken into custody by P.O. Krishna Singh of the 104th Precinct and charged with second-degree vehicular assault, four counts of criminal mischief, a count of leaving the scene of an accident and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Court records noted that Espinoza was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on Monday, Oct. 8, before Judge John Zoll, who ordered him held on $5,000 bail. He is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 26.
