Teenage Road Rage After Maspeth Crash
What started as an early-morning fender-bender on a Maspeth street came to a violent end when a teenager involved in the accident allegedly assaulted an elderly driver and his daughter last Thursday, Mar. 28, according to police.
The suspect in the case-identified by law enforcement sources as Sean Stimpfl, 17, of 65th Street- was apprehended a short time later at his residence by officers from the 104th Precinct.
According to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, the incident occurred just after 12:50 a.m. last Thursday at the corner of Grand Avenue and 64th Street.
Reportedly, the elderly male victim was in the process of backing up his vehicle when his rear bumper struck the front bumper of a car belonging to Stimpfl.
Immediately after the minor collision, authorities said, Stimpfl exited the car and confronted the elderly man, who remained in the driver’s seat. The teenager reportedly ordered the driver to provide him with cash and exit from the vehicle.
Seconds later, law enforcement sources noted, Stimpfl allegedly reached into the victim’s car and pulled the keys out of the ignition, then punched the elderly man several times in the chest.
When the victim’s daughter witnessed the attack, the criminal complaint noted, she attempted to intervene, and was allegedly struck by the teenager several times.
Stimpfl reportedly returned to his vehicle and pulled forward, slamming into the rear of the victim’s car, then fled from the scene. Law enforcement sources stated that the female victim’s eight-month-old daughter was sitting in the rear of the car at the time it was allegedly rammed by the teenager.
The criminal complaint noted that Stimpfl was observed hitting another vehicle before pulling into the driveway of his home and walking inside.
Members of the 104th Precinct and EMS units responded to the incident. The elderly driver was rushed by paramedics to Elmhurst Hospital Center, where he was treated for chest pains and other minor injuries.
Based on information obtained during their investigation, 104th Precinct officers tracked down Stimpfl and his vehicle a short time later. While passing the car, the criminal complaint noted, officers detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from within.
While being questioned by the responding officers, police noted, Stimpfl allegedly exhibited signs of being under the influence of drugs, including bloodshot eyes, an unsteadiness on his feet and a strong odor of marijuana.
Stimpfl was later taken into custody by P.O. Fateemah Hopson of the 104th Precinct on charges of seconddegree robbery, second- and third-degree assault, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, leaving the scene of an accident and endangering the welfare of a child. He was additionally booked for operating a motor vehicle without a license after he was unable to produce a valid permit upon request.
Court records noted that Stimpfl was arraigned last Thursday in Queens Criminal Court before Judge Stephanie Zaro, who ordered him held on $10,000 bail. He is scheduled to return to court on Apr. 11.
